Walk for the Centre is back October 1!
Support the Centretown Community Food Centre
By Susan Palmai
High food prices, rising rents and the cost of living in general are a concern for all of us right now. But these issues are tougher for some of us. Everyone needs food to eat and this is a serious challenge for many people living on tight budgets.
The recently renamed Centretown Community Food Centre serves the greater downtown area including Centretown, the Glebe, Old Ottawa South and Old Ottawa East. Founded in 1978 as an “emergency measure” that everyone expected would not be needed after a couple of years, the Food Centre is one of the city’s busiest food banks. It has seen a large increase in demand over the past 12 months. It recently relocated to new, accessible quarters in the City Community Hub at 370 Catherine Street where many social services are now under one roof. The basic ethos of serving everyone with warmth and dignity has not changed as the level of need rises higher than ever.
The Food Centre tries to supply clients once a month with three to four days of groceries. Much of that food is donated by 22 member churches of the Centretown Churches Social Action Committee (CCSAC) the body that founded the centre 45 years ago. Congregations of several Glebe churches are members of CCSAC, and many parishioners volunteer at the Food Centre. Other food and financial support come from food drives in local schools, the Ottawa Food Bank and individuals.
On October 1, CCSAC will once again be running its major fundraiser for the Food Centre. The Walk for the Centre is intended to highlight the serious food insecurity for many people in central Ottawa, but it has also become a real community event. It brings families and friends together for an afternoon walk along the beautiful Rideau Canal. Starting and ending at City Hall, there is musical entertainment and an opening ceremony which highlights the work of the centre throughout the year. Walkers are then led out of the building and across Laurier Avenue and into Confederation Square. The Sons of Scotland will return this year to lead the walk.
Save the date – Sunday, October 1 – and come out to support the Centretown Community Food Centre and better food security for all in our neighbourhood. Events get under way at 1:30 pm with the walk starting just after 2 pm. People are encouraged to donate online (www.centretownchurches.org/walkathon) but there will be a table available where on-site donations can be made. Tax receipts are provided. Bring a friend or bring your pet – all are welcome! Organizers are encouraging walkers to take photos as there are prizes for the best pictures. Information is available on the CCSAC website. Let’s make this year’s Walk for the Centre the best one yet!
Susan Palmai is chair of the Outreach Committee at Glebe-St. James United Church, a CCSAC member church.
