This morning, I went shopping with Dale Sonier from Riverside’s macFAB to purchase a trunk load of food for the CARE Food Drive, which Linda Sargeant from Core Realty (747 Queen E – in Riverside) has been running for 12 years. Linda’s aim it to help people who are beyond the reach of the food bank. For whatever reason, they are in need, and can’t reach out – Linda is reaching out to them. This really is a grass-roots drive, and started with Linda wanting to do something. The first year, she and her friends donated, wrapped and delivered 50 gift baskets of food – and today, they are at over 500 baskets that will be delivered.
Dale Sonier from macFAB purchasing a truckload of food for Care Food Drive
There is a wide range of recipients from refugees new to Canada,spending their first Holiday Season here; to Seniors who are in need; to 1st Nations Families and more. Recepient organizations include: Nellie’s, Ernestine’s, Red Door Shelter, Woodgreen Community Centre, MCC Refugee Program and more)
The Care Food Drive really is a voice for people that want to help those who aren’t able or willing to use their voice. This is the 2nd year macFAB’s Dale Sonier has put a bin in his store, and he has more than doubled the donations from last year. Dale, says that this drive speaks to him. As a child, Dale was raised by a single mother along with his 3 other siblings, and they had very little. The only gift he ever got under his tree came from a toy drive. Dale knows first hand how these drives make a difference.
Linda’s support crew is small, but mighty. She works with local East End public schools – Pape Avenue Public School, Jackman Public School and Riverdale Collegiate. Plus local businesses have set up donation bins including macFAB, Pape Market Foodland, , TD Bank (Logan), Baby on the Hip and several Queen West Shops.
Linda’s workshop is run right out of her Core Realty Offices in Riverside’s Queen East – her staff and friends are busy sorting and wrapping and coordinating deliveries. Each gift is beautifully wrapped and hand delivered to the person/family in need.
Linda Sargeant and her team sorting and wrapping at Core Realty Offices (747 Queen E)
Initially Linda was concerned with the situation in the public schools, and the ability to get their support – but the Community in rallying, and food donations are coming in…There are always more in need…Please give – there is still time – donations are being accepted until Sunday Dec 23rd. Please click here for more details
Linda Sargeant from Core Realty, ready to deliver Holiday Food Hampers
Thanks Linda for helping make a difference!
Just another great reason why Riverside is the Best Neighbourhood in Toronto!!