Help families in need stock their pantries before school begins
TIMMINS — On Friday, August 27, 2021, North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS) and the Foster Families Association Ontario North-East (FFAONE) are teaming up with the Timmins Fire Department and Timmins Food Bank to host their third annual “Fill the Fire Truck” Food Drive and BBQ Fundraiser. The event hopes of ensuring families in need do not go hungry as the new school year starts.
Community members are being encouraged to come out to Dailey’s Your Independent Grocer on Algonquin from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to donate canned goods and non-perishable food items, in hopes of “Filling a Fire Truck.”
“Food insecurity has been a troubling issue for families long before the pandemic started and research has shown that the need for food has been on the rise throughout the pandemic,” said Christine Miller, Program Supervisor at NEOFACS. “Families live with many concerns, especially during the pandemic. Worrying about where their next meal will come from should not be one of them.”
Hots dogs, hamburgers and beverages will also be available for purchase by donation. All proceeds from the event will be going to the Timmins Food Bank.
“Since food insecurity has been found to negatively affect educational outcomes for kids, we want to ensure that the Timmins Food Bank has the support it needs to be ready to be able to support community members in need at the start of the new school year,” said Mike Emond, FFAONE President.
As part of the event, complimentary reusable grocery bags promoting the need for foster parents in Timmins and the surrounding area will be handed out to patrons.
Foster families not only provide a safe, stable home for children and youth in need, but they also invite them into their family in every sense of the word. While the Agency hopes to see an increase in the number of foster families within the district, its ultimate goal is to support children and youth to live safely with their families of origin. As such, foster families play a fundamental role in supporting family reunification and building strong communities.
All COVID-19 public health measures will be in place. To learn more about this event or fostering with NEOFACS, call 705-360-7100 ext. 5222, email foster@neofacs.org or visit https://www.neofacs.org.
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About NEOFACS:
North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS) is an integrated agency, providing services to children, youth and their families in the Districts of Cochrane and Timiskaming. Our client-responsive programs and services are innovative, evidence-based, and designed to meet the unique needs of those we serve. Our Agency provides a number of programs and services in the areas of Child Welfare, Child and Youth Mental Health, Youth Justice, Prevention and Residential Services, including Foster Care. For more information, please visit https://www.neofacs.org.
For more information, please contact:
Mélanie Watson
Communications Coordinator
North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services
705-360-2121
melanie.watson@neofacs.org
Mike Emond
President
Foster Families Association Ontario North-East
705-365-8392
maemond@eastlink.ca