This week, you can enjoy a meal out while also helping those in need.
Eight restaurants across Bradford West Gwillimbury and New Tecumseth have teamed up with CONTACT Community Services for the Harvest for Homelessness campaign from Oct. 20 to 26, in which each will feature a special, dessert or appetizer from which a portion of proceeds will be donated to the service’s Community Hope Chest.
Through that ongoing fundraising effort, CONTACT helps about 3,500 people in southern Simcoe County annually, providing essential items such as food, prescriptions, eyewear, transportation assistance for job interviews, communication tools and translation services.
“The colours are booming, it’s harvest time, there’s so much to be thankful for, so what a great way to support people in need,” said Brenda Pufek, manager of development and community engagement at CONTACT.
Participating restaurants include:
- Perfect SZN — 100 Dissette St., Bradford
- Rebel Greek — 95 Holland St. W., Bradford
- Brick N Fire — 300 Holland St. W., Bradford
- Boston Pizza — 438 Holland St. W., Bradford
- A Taste of Freedom Country Inn — 24 Mill St. W. Tottenham
- Pizza Hut — 169 Victoria St. W., Alliston
- William’s Restaurant — 26 Victoria St. E., Alliston
- Boston Pizza — 27 Young St., Alliston
Pufek called the amount of support from local businesses “amazing.”
“We have so many wonderful, compassionate restaurant owners in this area,” she said.
The amount of proceeds to be donated varies from one restaurant to another, but more information is available at each.
Now more than ever, vulnerable people in the community are facing “enormous pressures,” Pufek explained in an email, adding that many of those who visit CONTACT may be experiencing homelessness, on the verge of becoming homeless, looking for a stable job or struggling with issues like mental health and addiction.
“They may be a senior who is battling social isolation or a family who doesn’t know where the next meal is coming from,” she said. “This campaign will directly impact our local friends and neighbours who are struggling and support their overall well-being during these challenging economic times.”
A registered charity, CONTACT has offices in both Bradford and Alliston offering employment and housing supports as well as community engagement programs, plus gently used clothing and household items at The Clothes Line thrift store, which also has locations in both towns.
More information about CONTACT and how it has been helping the community since 1977, as well as the option to donate directly, can be found at contactcommunityservices.ca.
