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Vol. 10
No. 10
YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER - LANARK, NORTH LEEDS & GRENVILLE
OCTOBER 2023
Build a Mountain of Food serving up a seventeenth year Regional - Janelle Labelle editorial@pdgmedia.ca
Seventeen years ago, Hugh Colton spearheaded the first annual Build a Mountain of Food campaign. It began in Perth, and now involves 11 surrounding communities. For the past two years, BAM has been led by Chris Craig of RCL Automotive in Smiths Falls. “I grew up using the food bank years ago,” Craig said, “I had a single mom, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. I want to give back to the communities. I don’t like to see kids go hungry. It’s really all about taking care of kids, for me.” Joined by Lake 88 Radio, Your TV, Hometown News and Hinton Auto Group, Craig is once again leading the drive to encourage our community to stock local food banks’ shelves to overflowing. On Monday night, Craig met with representatives from food banks and service clubs in Almonte, Carleton Place, Perth, Lanark, Smiths Falls, Westport, Elgin, Portland, Athens, Delta, and Merrickville, as well as Bob Perreault from Lake 88.1, Kathy Botham of Your TV, and Janelle Labelle of Hometown News. Craig welcomed every-
one to the campaign kickoff, held in the lobby of A&B Ford in Smiths Falls instead of next door at his business, RCL Automotive. “I thought we’d change it up this year and come to one of our sponsors,” he grinned, setting the group at ease. Before getting started with the planning, with food security top of mind, Craig paused to mention Smiths Falls farmer George McCaw, who offers free produce (currently carrots) at the end of his driveway on the Jasper Highway just outside of Smiths Falls. “In November he usually has rutabaga,” chimed in Kel McGreavy of the Merrickville Lions Club, who will be accepting donations as part of Build a Mountain of Food to go toward their Christmas Hamper program. Craig gave a brief history of the Build a Mountain of Food campaign. “I just want to remind everyone that what is collected in the community stays in that community,” he said. “If you’re giving at a food blitz in Perth, you’re giving to a hungry family in Perth, and the same goes for every community around.” Each community will have a special “Food Blitz” day, where volunteers will be set up in local grocery store parking lots, asking people to help fill vehicles with food to
Karen Lomas, Carleton Place Food Bank; Natalia Soteroff, Smiths Falls Food Bank, Wendy Quarrington, Perth Table Community Food Centre; David Bunt, Athens Food Bank; Leanne Schonauer, Lanark Food Bank; Norma Cummings, Portland Food Bank; Sonia Nichols, Lanark Food Bank; Wendy Lynn, Westport Food Bank; Sue Wilkes and Kel McGreavy, Merrickville Lions Club Hamper Fund; and Craig Leafloor, Lanark Food Bank. Photo credit: Kathy Botham.
support local food banks. Financial and food donations will be gratefully accepted. Bob Perreault is eager to continue upholding Lake 88’s tradition of supporting the BAM campaign. “It’s the highlight of our calendar to include Build a Mountain of Food,” he said. Lake 88 will feature interviews with food bank staff and telephone/live interviews from Food Blitz days as they take place around the region. Kathy Botham is planning an hour-long Build a
Mountain of Food show on Your TV, including interviews with those working on the BAM campaign. Many grocery stores will pre-package $10 donations in grocery bags so shoppers can see what they are giving. “Let’s remind people that they can give smaller amounts too,” said Wendy Quarrington, of the Perth Table Community Food Centre. Quarrington has printed stickers that she will place around local grocery stores, indicating that certain foods are “great
food bank items.” This way, if someone can’t donate a full $10 but wants to help, they can select something while they shop to add to the mountain of food. “Every bit helps,” she declared. Events and video coverage will be available on Facebook www.facebook.com/buildamountainoffood, Your TV, and Hometown News (print issues and website). Radio coverage will be on Lake 88.1 FM. Our mission is simple and clear: to help fill the
Carleton Place Bridge lighting display open to public requests
The new Central Bridge in Carleton Place shines a light on local events and issues. Photo credit: Submitted.
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STORE CLOSING! LAST DAY OPEN NOVEMBER 28
Carleton Place - submitted editorial@pdgmedia.ca Did you know that you can now request a special lighting display on the Central Bridge to mark important dates? Carleton Place Town Council has given its approval to a Bridge Lighting Display Policy, which outlines the procedure for public requests to illumi-
nate the Central Bridge with specific colors. You can submit a request using a form on the Town's website at https://c arletonpl ace. ca/central-bridge-lighting-display.php. It's important to keep in mind that applications should be submitted at least four (4) weeks before your desired lighting date, and there are specific terms
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and conditions that apply. Whether it's a celebration, commemoration, or a meaningful event, you can now be a part of this iconic display.This new policy provides the public with a unique opportunity to to add a touch of color and vibrancy to the Central Bridge by making it a part of special occasions; submit your request today.
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shelves of our local community food banks to serve the people that depend on them. Your support means so much. With you, we can. Food Blitz Dates and Locations: SATURDAY NOV. 4 Almonte: 9am-4pm at Jonsson’s YIG Carleton Place: 9am-4pm at Mitchell’s YIG, FreshCo, and Giant Tiger SATURDAY NOV. 18 Perth: 9am-4pm at Metro Perth, Barnabe’s YIG, Foodsmiths, and Giant Tiger Lanark: 9am-12pm at Lanark Civitan Hall SATURDAY NOV 25 Smiths Falls: 9am-4pm at Andress’ YIG, Food Basics, The Garden Market, and Giant Tiger SATURDAY DEC 2 Elgin: 9am-12pm at Gordanier Freshmart Westport: 1pm-4pm at Kudrinko’s SATURDAY DEC 9 Portland: 9am-12pm at Portland LCBO and RBC Merrickville: 1pm-4pm at the Merrickville Food Market SATURDAY DEC 16 Athens: 9am-12pm at Athens Fresh Market Delta: 1pm-4pm at the Delta Country Market www.Hometownnews.ca