The little village that grew

Village of Hope Niagara brings programs, food bank, thrift store under one roof

By Joanne McDonald For NewsNow

It’s a vivid recollection – Cheryl Keddy Scott sitting on a plastic container in a tiny tworoom space, sorting through bins of fruit and trimming the stalks of vegetables to be delivered to community members in need.

What started as a delivery run of 10 boxes of healthy food to residents has since grown exponentially.

In December alone, Village of Hope Niagara distributed 24,580 lbs of food to local families.

It’s a sign of the times and a testament to Executive Director Keddy Scott and the Village team’s commitment to serving, at last count, an unprecedented 1681 clients through the food bank and many proactive programs that help people regain selfsufficiency.

This week marks a new beginning as the agency moves from its Jordan Public School location to consolidate the food bank, programs of assistance and thrift store under one roof at 2540 South Service Rd., Jordan Station.

Giving Hope

There’s a tenacity to Keddy Scott, a perpetually positive and cheerful spirit that cushions the shame and powerlessness felt by so many facing financial hardships.

“Overall being able to provide healthy food and emergency services is important, but most important is building trust and relationships.”

Food and shelter insecurity give rise to physical problems, anxiety, depression. Over the past few years the agency has seen more people with addic- tions and mental health issues. It’s not easy to ask for help. “These are our friends and our neighbours. They need to know someone is there when they need help.”

After 20 years of working in social services, dealing with food insecurity, Keddy Scott knew well the needs. “We felt we were making a difference but not the lasting impact.”

“Along with a couple of likeminded community members, we began meeting with other agencies to discover where the gaps were and how our community needs were increasingly falling behind.” And there it began.

By 2012 a board of directors was formed and the name Village of Hope was born.

Focused on sustainable healthy eating, those 10 boxes of food being delivered weekly to local residents had grown to 100 boxes within the year.

The newly-formed board of directors decided there was a need to find more space central to needs in the Vineland, Jordan and Campden areas.

“Thanks to another great supporter we were able to acquire a space in Vineland.” It was small, but it was the beginning of great things.

Registration tripled, volunteers were signing up to help and the community supports began to grow. “We partnered with other agencies, grocery stores, faith community and of course farmers.”

“Our mission was not to sit back and wait for those who needed help to come to us. We reached out when notified, thanks to partnering agencies. By working together we were making an impact.”

Growth

“After four years as a registered charity we were fortunate to acquire the Jordan

School location. We were ready to take the next step to tackle food insecurity and introduced 10 new programs.”

The Village has since grown to serve 1681 clients, composed of 78 per cent single parents, 410 children, and 141 seniors. There’s a strong team of 89 volunteers, 35 programs and three acres of community gardens. The services cover a broad range from providing rent subsidies to ensure families and children can stay in the community where they have grown and go to school, workforce readiness, mental health partnerships, social services navigation, local social calling, budgeting, meal planning and income tax preparation. See the full list on the website.

The door is open to tour the new facility. A pay-as-you-go bistro is now open with fresh baked goods and coffee. “We want to be inviting. Our mission is to remain grassroots.” The Village of Hope receives no government funding. All donations are from community businesses, faith organizations, farmers and local supporters.

The food bank is open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Thrift Store is open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

The calendar of programs and upcoming events is on the website: www.villageofhopeniagara.org or call 905-562-3113.

The 24-hour emergency line is 905-964-3809.

“It takes a village,” Keddy Scott says, “And we need to come together to make a difference in our community.”

U-Haul van stolen in Grimsby

In the early morning hours last Friday, Fab. 10, a U-Haul van was stolen from the area of Roberts Road and the South Service Road in Grimsby.

At 2:27 a.m., Niagara Regional Police responded to a call where a male suspect used a sledgehammer to smash open lock boxes containing ignition keys to vans parked on the property. The suspects then stole a white, 2022

GMC, Savanna Cargo van with Arizona licence plate #AL68425.

The stolen van had a large $19.99 advertisement painted on both the left and right side. The van was then driven from the area by the male suspect.

The male suspect is described as:

• White male

• Mid to late 20s

• About 6-feet tall

• Skinny build

•Wearing a dark hooded sweater, dark/

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The female is described as:

• White female

• Skinny build, 5’7” tall

• Long hair

• Wearing dark tights and a full-length puffy jacket that went down below her knees.

Anyone with in-

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