Guelph holiday drive focuses on food sensitivities
Local food drives are working to stock shelves this holiday, but one campaign in Guelph aims to help those with severe allergies.
Ensuring those with food sensitivities are served this festive season is the goal of Ward 1 councillor Erin Caton, who is collecting non-perishable foods for people with hypersensitive diets as part of a new campaign — Donate for Disability.
“Everybody donates around this time of year,” Caton said. “But usually people forget there are a lot of folks out there that have food sensitivities.”
The initiative will supply local groups including Your Downtown Guelph Friends, Chalmers Centre and North End Harvest Market.
Allergies to gluten, dairy, corn and nuts are just a few of the challenges for some facing food insecurity.
It’s something Caton has experienced firsthand.
“When you have disabilities like I do, sometimes you need those things to keep yourself low inflammatory. I went to the food bank before and when I went, there was none of those things for me there,” she said.
GROWING NEED
In neighbouring Waterloo region, the latest food bank report shows use of its Emergency Food Assistance Program has increased from 1 in 20 households last year to 1 in 14 household, a more than 42 per cent jump.
“We prepare 200 meals a week, and sometimes that’s not even enough,” said Kate Nixon of Your Downtown Guelph Friends.
Nixon says finding specific products for those with allergies makes meeting the demand even more challenging.
“The price points often very high for those products so we’re finding that it’s very difficult for people to access that,” Nixon said.
Donate for Disability is accepting donations at Guelph City Hall until Dec. 9.
But Caton hopes highlighting the concern will lead to much-needed donations to other food drives.
“If you have your favourite charity then please add these items to your donations,” she said. “Because it’s a year round need.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.