Generosity

Representatives from the three County foodbanks were presented with cheques totalling $21,000 at Angry Bird’s restaurant in Picton last Friday. (L-R): Bill Heffernan, Mick Chalmers, Sue Hyatt, Lieutenant Donna Ludlow, Linda Downey, Mayor Steve Ferguson, Trudy Greer, Tanis Crowe and restaurant owner Michael Hymus with his son Channing Comeau- Hymus.

Angry Bird’s fundraiser prompts matching donation

The same economic trend that brings healthy profits to Michael Hymus’s car export business can also bring a spike in grocery bills for County residents, disproportionately causing hardship to low-income households. A surging US dollar is good news when Hymus sells a vehicle in the States. However, he wasn’t aware of the impact on County households when that rise dramatically increases the prices of fruits and vegetables from the US until his mother asked him a couple of years ago whether he knew how much red peppers cost. “I was, like, ‘Mom, I have no idea. Why?’ And she said the prices have gone through the roof,” says Hymus. “And I just felt bad that I’m celebrating good times when other people in the community are burdened with the fact they can’t afford to eat. The US dollar has risen again last month, and that registers with me that it creates hardship for people, so I decided to give something back.”

Hymus decided that for the period from January 10 to January 16, he would donate the total sales from his Angry Bird’s restaurant to the County’s three foodbanks. He kept the initiative fairly low-key as he didn’t know what to expect and wanted to keep his staff from being overwhelmed. He simply posted on social media and relied on word of mouth to raise awareness of the initiative. County residents responded immediately “Our sales for the week was probably up by over 60 per cent,” says Hymus. “People love to eat, and knowing every penny they’re spending is going to charity, how can you beat that?” The social media posting had another, unanticipated effect. His business partner, Sean Hudson, who operates a Chevrolet car dealership in Listowel, Ontario, saw the posting and immediately offered to match up to $10,000 in donations. “That just really took my breath away,” says Hymus. “When you get that type of support from other people, I think that’s one of the nicest compliments I’ve ever been given. It really did speak volumes.” Hymus expects that this will be an annual fundraiser for the foodbanks, and is looking to advertise it more widely in 2020 now that he knows what to expect.

In total, Hymus raised $11,000 from food sales, meaning that the three foodbanks will receive $7,000 each. Trudy Greer of the Picton United Church Foodbank says the donations come at a crucial time. “This time of year, funds are low and so now we can go out and buy food in bulk, which will really help out with things we need on a daily basis, like milk, eggs and dairy. That’s something we don’t get donated.” The United Church Foodbank serves about 150 families in the area. The Salvation Army Foodbank serves about 50 families, and Lieutenant Donna Ludlow was grateful for the donation. “This means a lot of help for many people,” she says. “Many people come through our doors and we try to provide things that are not just non-perishable items, and now we can provide some of those perishable goods too.”

Entrepreneur Michael Hymus (right), shown here with his son Channing Comeau-Hymus, donated a week’s worth of food sales from his restaurant in Picton to the County’s three foodbanks. His business partner, Sean Hudson from Listowel, provided a matching donation of $10,000.

Linda Downey of the StoreHouse Foodbank didn’t know anything about the donation until she received a call from Hymus recently. “We were quite shocked and amazed,” she says. “We’re going to use this money to help pay for poultry and meat and for dairy. Our dairy bill for the month runs close to $3,000. This is a very nice surprise. We’re so grateful.” The StoreHouse Foodbank serves over 300 people, of which 117 are children. It serves the County west of Bloomfield and works closely with the two Picton-based foodbanks. “We just got a bunch of chicken pot pies, so I’m sharing the wealth. We’re very good at working together.”

Hymus has been a strong presence in the community, supporting things like the Picton Splash Pad and, until recently, the Wellington outdoor skating rink, which is now being supported by the Drake Devonshire. When asked where this love of community comes from, his answer is immediate. “My father,” he says. “Dad was always about trying to make sure everybody was included, and I think I get a lot of that from him. He was just a really great guy that way. I’ve been really fortunate over the last several years. A person without a community is just a bit of a lost soul, and I love the people of Prince Edward County, and it’s easy for me to help. I’m very proud to be from here, and to be able to give back makes me even prouder.”