United Way Campaign Kicks-off in Grand Erie
The beginning of this year’s Grand Erie United Way Campaign kicked-off on Friday, October 9, 2015 at Grand Erie Learning Alternatives.
Staff from secondary schools in Brantford and Brant County were invited to pick up their United Way fundraising kits and engage in different ways to encourage staff to support the cause that supports 18 different member agencies. Among these agencies includes Kids Can Fly, Victim Services, and Brant Food for Thought.
District Chair and GELA Principal Scott Johnson participated in the United Way “Do the Math” Challenge, making use of the United Way Food Bank. As part of the challenge, Johnson picked up a standard three-day emergency food supply hamper provided by the Brantford Food Bank on Monday, Sept. 21.
Over the three days, Johnson lived exclusively off of the hamper filled with an array of non-perishable food items to last a person two to three days and did not accept any free food or drinks. The challenge is designed to bring light to Hunger Awareness Week and provide a deeper understanding of the United Way and its services.
“I learned the importance of feeding the Food Bank like you would feed your own family,” said Johnson. “There is a never ending need
for what the Food Bank can supply and that includes items with nutritional value.”
Johnson was given items including Kraft Dinner, instant oatmeal, canned beans and vegetables, a fruit cup and a can of tuna. A number of these non-perishables were not a part of his day-to-day eating regime.
“This opportunity was a reflective experience for me to be aware and think as a family of what we can donate to promote sustenance and well-being in the community,” he added. “
The Grand Erie United Way Campaign will run from Tuesday, October 13 to Saturday, October 31, 2015 in all counties across the board.