Giving Hope In Our Community
The holidays are just around the corner, and once again, it will be a challenging time for many families in our community. The increase in the cost of living due to record levels of inflation attributed to soaring energy costs and supply-chain shortages due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the pandemic has pushed food costs to a 40-year high.
While the easing of most restrictions has allowed us to expand many of our services and provide much needed support to members of our community, we are seeing an unprecedented request for food and mental health assistance [25% increase over last year = over 160 additional clients per month].
Last year, our Christmas program assisted 958 individuals, which included 267 families and 470 children. This year we are relying, once again, on generous donors like yourself to help ensure that individuals in our community have food and gifts for the upcoming holiday season.
The Holidays are a joyous time of year. Still, for many in our community, such as those living alone and for low-income families, it is a period fraught with uncertainty and isolation. At the Orléans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre, our various programs provide support, comfort and hope to individuals and families in need. This year, we are encouraging you to sponsor a family and/or donate cash ($50 per child) which we will put towards the purchase of gift cards – for the children gifts of registered families. This way, the parents of these children can go out and buy the gift their child would like best.
For more information regarding our Christmas Program, I would invite you to contact Chad Chartrand at 613-830-4357 ext. 209 or by email at cchartrand@crcoc.ca. In addition, I would ask you to visit our website at www.crcoc.ca for details about this program and our other programs and services.
Your support is greatly appreciated! It allows us to continue our essential work in the community. On behalf of the volunteers, staff, and board of directors, I would like to thank you for your support and wish you a joyful holiday season.
Together, we are building a stronger community!
