The Creemore
ECHO
Friday, February 26, 2021 Vol. 21 No. 09
www.creemore.com
News and views in and around Creemore
INSIDE
Perks of the Job
Businesses prospering during pandemic PAGE 3
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Feed it forward movement comes to Creemore by Trina Berlo When Lori Judzinski learned of a “feed it forward” program that was gaining traction in the region, she immediately knew it would be a perfect fit for her pizzeria, Creemore Pizza Co. She has adopted the FIFE4LIFE program and is hoping others will too as a way of allowing people access to food in a dignified and non-judgemental way. FIFE4LIFE is an acronym for Feed it Forward Everyone – Live in Freedom Everywhere. The program was created by Alliston resident Pamela Stewart and has grown to include Angus, Stayner, Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, and now Creemore. The concept is simple. Customers pay for an extra meal at participating restaurants and the receipt is posted on a designated FIFE4LIFE board. Anyone wanting to accept the meal grabs the receipt and exchanges it for the food. There are no questions asked. “It’s an amazing program,” said Judzinski, who has already been paying it forward whenever possible. She said she has had customers who couldn’t quite pay the bill or who have been purchasing meals for families in need. “We don’t always know who needs help and now, with the pandemic, there are all kinds of people who need help,” said Judzinski, “It breaks my heart.”
She said her business has been well supported during the past year. Creemore Pizza Co. has been open every day since the first lockdown last March and has made the take-out model work. Judzinski said business has actually doubled this past year and this program is another way that she can pay it forward. “There has already been a lot of paying it forward, so this really fits with the way I try to run my business,” said Judzinski. “And we have people in this community who have the funds and want to help but they don’t know how.” The FIFE4LIFE program makes it clear. When people see the symbol on the door of a restaurant they will get to know that they can either get a meal or pay for a meal. Judzinski is offering a pizza special for the program to make it super simple for people to make a purchase and she is printing them out on gift receipts so that anyone claiming a meal can make a choice based on preference and not worry about the price. “They can either feed themselves, or feed their whole family, without the stigma of having to explain, and knowing there are people out there who want to help,” said Judzinski. “I’m hoping more restaurants will participate,” she said. “Really, it doesn’t cost us anything.”
Contributed photo
Creemore Pizza Co. owner Lori Judzinski (right) and FIFE4LIFE founder Pamela Stewart with the program logo that's lets patrons know where food can be purchased, and claimed by those in need.
Top doc warns Simcoe Muskoka of possible third wave by Trina Berlo Simcoe Muskoka’s medical officer of health is calling an increase in cases worrisome. Dr. Charles Gardner said this week that although the decision as to what zone the region is in is ultimately up to the province, he may be advising that Simcoe Muskoka goes back into the grey. A 30 per cent increase in cases, and the increase in sporadic spread of the UK variant, and a reproductive rate that is surpassing the province are all
factors that indicate to Gardner we are moving in the wrong direction. “I’m watching this very closely. I have communicated to the province my concern about where we’re headed and positioned that we need to be prepared to go into a shutdown again in the near future if we can continue to see this,” said Gardner. “I think this is something that people need to be aware of.” Most long-term care residents have received both doses of the vaccine and retirement home residents have received their first dose.
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Gardner said he believes immunization is helping to reduce the severity of the illness in recent outbreaks. On March 1, multiple community vaccination clinics will open throughout Simcoe Muskoka, including one in Wasaga Beach and one in Collingwood, to dole out the vaccine, which is still being received in limited amounts. “We are going to take a very broad approach to make COVID-19 vaccination available to our community,” said Gardner.
Gardner said there is potential for pop-up and mobile clinics, and they will continue to reach more congregate settings. At this time the health unit is prioritizing seniors over the age of 85, Indigenous adults 55 years and older as well as their adult household members, recipients of adult chronic home care, and what the province deems to be very high priority health care workers. Gardner warns it will take time to move through those groups of people (See “Now” on page 7)