Christmas can’t come soon enough for the Smiths Falls Community Food Bank. While most people are out enjoying their care-free summer vacations, vulnerable members of the community sometimes struggle to put food on the table.
“A lot of people don’t think to give back this time of year, but kids are off school and don’t get to benefit from breakfast campaigns and snack programs there, which can put more stress on parents to keep their children fed,” says Jennifer Aunger-Ritchie, a REALTOR® with Royal LePage Advantage Real Estate in Smiths Falls, Ontario.
That’s why REALTORS® from Aunger-Ritchie’s office held a one-day food drive outside the Andress Independent grocery store on a hot, summer day in June. In just three hours, more than 600 pounds of food and more than $500 was collected to help restock the small town’s food bank.
“They said they were in need and obviously we heard their call and wanted to give back,” she says.
The group of five women encouraged shoppers to pick up extra food items—cereal, pasta, tuna, fruit and canned goods were in high demand—or to make a monetary donation for the charity.
“Donations are lower in the summer months, but the need is higher,” says REALTOR® and former CREA President Pauline Aunger. “We need to support the community we serve.”
It was a busy day of giving back for Royal LePage Advantage Real Estate as earlier in the day, Aunger’s office made a $1,000 donation to help fund a new community playground at St. Francis de Sales Catholic School.
