News

Along with the Ailsa Craig & District Lions we want to pass along a huge thank you to all our donors for the Christmas Hamper turkey drive.

With all the changes in our world the ability for everyone to help their neighbours shines through.

Once again THANK YOU and a very Happy 2021!

Someone recently drew to my attention that our website seemed to indicate that the building project was no longer happening. I want to assure you that we have been working very hard to see the buildling project resumed. To assure all concerned we are absolutely are moving forward with a building project on the property we had originally purchased. Please keep an eye out for any news on our status. Thank you all for your patience and support!

Mark Isaac, General Manager & the Board of Directors

We want to express our thanks for the incredible and continued support we have been receiving throughout the covid-19 pandemic. From concerned residents, churches, organizations and businesses helping with cash and food bank donations, the businesses and individuals that have stepped up to serve as official food donation drop off points in the different communities throughout our service area, volunteer drivers for deliveries and pickups and the staff and volunteers working hard at the food bank. Thank you also to area businesses that have continued to be there providing the food bank with what we need to continue functioning and being there for those in need thoughout our service area.

Happy June greetings from all our staff and volunteers at Ailsa Craig & Area Food Bank! Thank you for your interest and support for the work of the food bank in our local area. We had three recent area food drives which brought many items back up. Thank you to the communities in Lucan-Biddulph and North Middlesex for supporting the annual Firefighters Spring food drives in those municipalities. By cycling food drives in different communities at specific times of the year, it helps to keep our food on-hand at a healthy level throughout the year. We still depend on our regular donors to help out with some of the items that are in low supply. The following are items we are currently in need of…

• Juice (family & individual sizes)

• Coffee (instant or perc.)

• Rice (900 g bags or boxes)

• Canned green beans

• Canned yellow beans

• Instant pudding mixes

• Pudding cups

• Fruit (large cans of plain or mixed)

For churches, groups or individuals that normally help out with our school back pack programs, please keep in mind that any school supply donations would be greatly appreciated throughout the month of July.

Of course, cash donations are also a great help to enable us to purchase any items we might be short on for our various food bank programs throughout the year and to help cover the cost of making the programs available for those who need them. The summer season is traditionally a lower cash donation time for most charities. Cash donations are very appreciated and, of course, receiptable.

If you are aware of anyone in your community that may be in need, please encourage them to contact us for help. There are many who find it difficult to ask for a helping hand and some who simply aren’t aware of the help that might be available to them. It’s hard to imagine people in our communities who are struggling with poor health and discouragement because healthy food is not affordable to them.

Finally, one of the greatest ways that you can help is to shop at our thrift store and encourage others to as well. We have many great items… used and new clothing and household items as well as collectibles and antiques. You would be amazed at what you might find in our stock. Don’t be afraid to call and enquire if you are looking for a particular item. We can even help you with brand new electric fencing supplies to name just one! There are also a few mystery items that no one seems to be able to identify. A trip to our store can be an adventure and the highlight of your week!

Have you heard of The Great Canadian GIVING CHALLENGE? Every donation (minimum $3.00 donation to qualify) made through our CanadaHelps online donation button during the month of June gives our charity a chance to win a $10,000 donation!  Imagine the impact $10,000 would have for the work of our food bank. If you've ever thought about making an online donation, this is the month to try it. Visit our homepage at www.ailsacraigareafoodbank.org to donate. Thank you for your support!

We are grateful to see ongoing savings to our food bank because of a grant received this past September allowing us to purchase a large commercial cooler. It replaced two old refrigerators and cut our hydro bill in half! One refrigerator had quit and was already removed. All the savings came with the removal of the last old refrigerator and plugging the new large commercial unit with the capacity of two normal refrigerators.

We are thrilled to share the following announcement from Middlesex Mutual Insurance...

Community Spirit Award 2014

The Board of Directors and our Community Spirit Award Committee consisting of John Brennan, Director, Paula Bodkin, Director, Fran Dow, Agent, Danielle Duffenais, Underwriter, and Nancy Preston, President & CEO saw a need in the community and proceeded, without application submissions, to grant the Ailsa Craig & Area Food Bank & Thrift Store with this year’s award of $25,000.00.

The Ailsa Craig & Area Food Bank & Thrift Store is a registered Christian Charitable Organization dedicated to meeting the needs of our community.

The Food Bank is looking to build a new building that will allow them to offer programs to their clients (cooking, canning, budgeting, sewing), increased capacity for fresh foods (walk-in freezer/cold storage), and most importantly a private intake office to allow more privacy and dignity to their clients. To date they have raised $154,537.84.

The Ailsa Craig Food Bank services the Township of Lucan Biddulph, The Municipality of Middlesex Centre and the Municipality of North Middlesex. They also serve approximately half of the Municipality of Lambton Shores covering the communities in the eastern side. Those communities served include Arkona, Grand Bend, Northville, Port Franks and Thedford.

We would like to congratulate the Ailsa Craig & Area Food Bank & Thrift Store.

Visit Facebook to vote for our food bank in the Ontario Meat & Poultry Thanksgiving Giveaway. You can visit and vote daily to give us a chance to win a $200.00 donation of meat & poultry.

https://www.facebook.com/OntarioMeatPoultry?v=app_1492352904346232&app_data=entry_id%3D68775523%26gaReferrerOverride%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.facebook.com%252F

Visit Facebook to vote for our food bank in the Ontario Meat & Poultry Thanksgiving Giveaway. You can visit and vote daily to give us a chance to win a $200.00 donation of meat & poultry.

https://www.facebook.com/OntarioMeatPoultry?v=app_1492352904346232&app_data=entry_id%3D68775523%26gaReferrerOverride%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.facebook.com%252F