Community Building

Wellington on the Lake raising funds for StoreHouse Foodbank

After a successful year and a record number of home builds in the County, Sandbank Homes and it’s president, Graham Shannon are looking to give back to the community this season. For some advice on the matter, Shannon went to friend and councillor Jim Dunlop. Shannon knew he wanted to have a fun, positive fundraising campaign with the residents of Wellington On The Lake, but didn’t know exactly where to start. Shannon considers Dunlop a great influence in the community and after a brainstorming session, the two came up with the idea to engage the residents of Wellington on the Lake by matching dollar for dollar any money raised, up to $10,000. A successful campaign would mean a $20,000 donation for the decided cause, The Wellington Store House Food Bank.

The StoreHouse Food Bank was founded in 2007 by Linda Downey and her husband Bob, who is also a volunteer firefighter. They saw the need for a food bank in Wellington after listening to families in the surrounding communities speak of their struggles, and how some were doing without the bare necessities.

WOLRA President Doug Little and Site Administrator from Frontier Management, Renie Thompson.

The StoreHouse Food Bank serves Wellington, Hiller, Consecon, Rosehall, Carrying Place, Ameliasburgh, Rednersville and families in Bloomfield. It currently helps out close to 400 people twice a month with basic necessities including many senior dealing with isloation and a fixed income. Over the past few years they have also expanded to more than just a food bank. Hosting back-to-school drives for school supplies and backpacks, a Snow Suit campaign to make sure kids are properly drssed for winter, and special deliveries for Thanksgiving, Easter and Christmas.

Doug Little is the president of the Wellington On The Lake Residents Association, and was very excited when Shannon approached him with the concept. It was slightly concerning for him at first because 35 to 40 per cent of the residents are currently in southern climates, but he realized that every resident could be contacted given an opportunity to donate online. The response has been very positive.

“This is an important time of year and we can really make a difference in how 2018 goes for the food bank. Our residents are leading active lifestyles and play active roles in the community, so engagement for something like this is usually high,” said Little.

The Wellington on the Lake community is now at 800 residents and growing. That many people involved in a fundraising campaign can make a difference for a local charity, and there in none more deserving than the food bank. It also important for residents of WOTL that the cause be as local as possible. No one wants the donations leaving our community.

“Wellington on the Lake residents are incredibly generous with their time and money when it comes to getting behind a cause, and Sandbank Homes are proud to match every dollar they contribute,” said Shannon.

From all accounts it has been a very successful campaign so far. Hopefully the residents can pull it off and make it all the way to $20,000 with the help of Sandbank homes. I’m sure Santa is smiling about this one.