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
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6973211.1721679351!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
2 Albertans accused of threatening to kill Trudeau, Freeland, Singh
Men from Edmonton and Calgary are accused of threatening to kill some of Canada's top government leaders.
Four suicides in New Zealand linked to Ontario's Kenneth Law
New Zealand's coroner has ruled that four of its citizens died after ordering products from an Ontario man who is facing murder charges for selling poisonous substances.
Athletes show off stylish and expensive team clothing for the 2024 Olympic Games
Canadian athletes attempting to reach the podium at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will also be looking fashionable for the entire world to see.
Toronto woman charged with voyeurism after taking 'intimate' photos during massage: police
A Toronto woman who allegedly took 'intimate' photos of an individual who was getting a massage has been charged with voyeurism, police say.
Bear showing 'signs of severe stress' in Florida likely just overheated: wildlife commission
An allegedly depressed bear that had shown "signs of severe stress" in Florida has captured the attention of many after a post from local sheriffs.
What steps are you taking to address mortgage costs? We want to hear from you
Are you one of the many Canadians struggling to keep up with their mortgage payments and trying to keep their home? CTVNews.ca wants to hear from you.
These are the four leading vice-presidential picks for Kamala Harris' campaign
No one knows the importance of selecting the right running mate better than Vice President Kamala Harris.
IN PICTURES Here's what Calgary's new event centre will look like
The name of Calgary’s new event centre was unveiled on Monday. The arena will be called Scotia Place.
Kamala Harris endorsement excites Democrats, but what could it mean for Canada?
U.S. President Joe Biden's endorsement of Vice-President Kamala Harris as his possible replacement stirred excitement among Democrats, but one analyst has concerns about what a potential Harris presidency would mean for Canada.