'To Stratford with Love' tradition continues for 33rd year
The 33rd annual 'To Stratford with Love' food drive delivered holiday meals to local residents, again adjusting to COVID-19 regulations.
The event on Saturday, which is usually held as an in-person dinner at the Rotary Complex in Stratford for anyone in the community the week before Christmas Day, was forced to cancel the gathering last year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Organizers decided to continue offering a holiday meal, with volunteers putting together food boxes at The Local Community Food Centre and delivering individual meals to anyone who registered.
"We had a couple of friends of ours that were chefs. They said, ‘Listen, we can do it,'" said Richard Kneider, the president of the Simple Dreams Charity.
The event was hosted by the Simple Dreams Charity, local churches, businesses and individuals sponsor the event.
"All of the meals that are going to be delivered tonight, they are full course roast beef dinner, with mashed potatoes, carrots, buns," he said.
Organizers say the need for food has only increased during the pandemic.
"The need has been driven up over the last two years," said Jenn Parsons, the manager of food logistics at The Local Community Food Centre. "So, it's been it's been difficult to address that without seeing people and having them in our space."
Similar to 2020, a team of volunteers got together on Saturday and packaged over 1,000 meals for the community. Over 50 drivers delivered meals to homes that registered for one.
"Quite honestly, we have to turn volunteers away," Kneider said. "Because there's so many people that want to be part of this."
Organizers said the delivery method does bring its own challenges — not only do volunteers have to figure out the routes for drivers, but handling the food is different as well.
"Food is easier when we do it at the Rec complex. It's nice to do a really hot meal. There's a lot more thought that goes into having to do a cold meal and having to have them reheated at home," said Jillian Chambers, the food coordinator for the food drive.
Erin Cassone was a volunteer delivery driver last year and wanted to continue giving back this year.
"To actually see the joy that 'Stratford with Love' brings was something really special. It gives much more to me than I feel like I could ever give back. It's such it's such a great opportunity to be a part of," said Cassone. "It was great to be able to knock on the door. People were so excited. They were so grateful, so thankful for it and it was a great opportunity for my boys to be able to see an opportunity to give back."
The deliveries were handed out between 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday with an online programming beginning at 5:15 p.m. those receiving the meals were encouraged to watch.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is going on with Bill C-11, the government's online streaming legislation?
The Liberals have spent years trying to pass online streaming legislation and now the current iteration, known as Bill C-11, is closer than ever to passing. With a potential parliamentary showdown ahead, here's what you need to know about how the contentious Broadcasting Act bill got to this stage.

Zellers rolling out food trucks for Canadians 'craving a taste of nostalgia'
Though you won't be able to sit on the old, cracked pleather benches and take in the thick smell of gravy and fries, while the gentle sound of clanging dishes provides the soundtrack for your lunch, Zellers plans to roll out food trucks for those 'craving a taste of nostalgia.'
WHO emergency declaration call based on virus spread and variants, Dr. Bogoch explains
The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to decide Friday, whether the COVID-19 pandemic still qualifies for an international emergency declaration title— a decision that will involve factoring in how the virus and its variants are impacting countries around the world, says an infectious disease expert.
Pamela Anderson defends Tim Allen after flashing allegation
Pamela Anderson is addressing discussion about a story regarding her 'Home Improvement' co-star Tim Allen that is part of her new memoir, 'Love Pamela.'
What should Canada be doing about climate change? 25 recommendations
The national Net-Zero Advisory Body released 25 recommendations Friday for how Canada can adjust its climate plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 — a goal that the country is not on track to reach right now, according to the report.
Canadian government posts $3.6 billion deficit between April and November
The federal government posted a budgetary deficit of $3.6 billion in the first eight months of the fiscal year.
Bear on Mars? NASA satellite snaps a strange formation
What looks like a giant teddy bear’s face peering into space from the surface of Mars is actually a satellite image of some craters and a circular fracture, scientists say.
Some U.S. auto insurers are refusing to cover some Hyundai and Kia models
Progressive and State Farm, two of America's largest auto insurers, are refusing to write policies in certain cities for some older Hyundai and Kia models that have been deemed too easy to steal, according to one of the insurance companies and media reports.
'It Ends With Us' movie casts Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni
BookTok is all abuzz with the news that Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni will be starring in a movie based on the bestselling romance novel, "It Ends With Us."