News

 this holiday season.

Exchange organizer, Carol Richer said the number of boxes packed by the Exchange was down from last year. However, there were more registrations for single persons, 30, who pick up their supplies at the Food Bank.

Figures this year show that almost 200 children benefitted from the Exchange dinners and the various Angels Trees that collected gifts.

“With the adults (13 years and up), the children and the 30 singles, we probably provided enough food for about 465 people,” said Richer.

While the Exchange makes use of the canned food that is donated by the community, much of the ingredients for the meal are purchased through cash donations.

“Seaway High did a great job with their food drive and Ross Video also held a food drive. That is all in addition to the food donated through area churches and by individuals,” said Richer. “Those receiving boxes have the choice of ham or turkey which we buy along, with the fresh vegetables and fruit.”

These include potatoes, carrots and oranges.

“We are very fortunate here,” said Richer. “Our donations have come in enough to cover our expenses. I have heard that other areas haven’t been as fortunate.”

In addition to the food, cash and toys/gift donations, the Exchange counts heavily on other sorts of donations.

“The Seaway Valley Pharmacy covers all of our advertising in the newspaper. We have businesses and churches all supporting us, along with private donations. Then there is Craig Packaging that supplies us with the boxes. Where would we be without the boxes. It would be impossible. And we have the use of the Legion Hall here every year.”

“We have the banks who allow us to set up the Angel Trees and the Lions Club, Sandra Johnston in Iroquois and Beavers Dental who take care of the Angel Tree program. Then there are the kids, like those from St. Mary/St. Cecilia’s who step in and put the boxes together.”

“Sometimes stuff just shows up and I have no idea where it came from.”

“I get cards in the mail with cheques. Some come from people living on pensions, who feel this is so important.”

Richer explained that the Exchange also counts on its volunteers who organize, transport and sort the food and then pack everything in the boxes.

“Some volunteers have been doing this for many, many years. This year we had a healthy group of new volunteers which is nice to see.”

“The whole process is like a well-oiled machine. Everyone knows what has to be done. They latch onto the new people and the job gets finished.”

For the last several years the Exchange has coordinated its effort with the Food Bank. All non-perishable food that does not go into a food box goes to the Food Bank.

[…]

When is a township responsible for snow removal on township roads?

This question created a heated debate at the December 20th South Dundas council meeting with Deputy-Mayor Jim Locke voicing outrage at the township’s intention to charge local developer, Swank Construction Ltd., for snow removal in the new subdivision east of Iroquois.

He pointed out that there are already two houses in the subdivision whose occupants will be paying taxes to South Dundas. He also reminded council that Swank Construction does a lot for the township in terms of supporting growth.

According to Chief Administrative Officer Stephen McDonald, however, the agreement surrounding snow removal is in the legal contract signed between Swank Construction and South Dundas township.

He maintained, with input from the Manager of Public Works, Hugh Garlough, that the $125 fee for snow removal is within reason. He suggested that Swank hire someone else to clear the roads if he thought the cost was too high.

He further explained that “there are a whole bunch of requirements” that need to be met before the township takes over the responsibility for snow removal in the new subdivision.

Councillor Jim Graham agreed saying, “this is basically a construction site until it’s finished. It doesn’t get turned over to the township until it’s finished.”

Mayor Steven Byvelds added, “you may have a point Deputy-Mayor Locke, but it is what it is.”

Locke put forth a motion: “that we plow the road for zero dollars like we would any other road.”

No one seconded the motion.

Swank Construction will continue to be responsible for snow removal until the new subdivision meets the township’s requirements for completion.

[…]

A new strategic plan outlining and evaluating growth potential for South Dundas was deemed a priority for the township more than a year ago.

At the December 20th council meeting, Chief Administrative Officer Stephen McDonald brought forward a report, which recommended council hire Dillon Consulting Limited at a cost of $24,870 plus HST. 

Dillon Consulting was one of 10 proposals received. Each proposal was then evaluated by McDonald, Mayor Steven Byvelds, and Economic Development Officer Nicole Sullivan.

Dillon Consulting, an Ottawa-based company, will be holding four Community Cafés throughout South Dundas in the new year because, as McDonald explained, “the whole intent of this was to get good feedback from the community and hear what they have to say.”

“I do hope we get as many as possible to participate,” said Byvelds. “Their proposal was strong. I’m looking forward to getting this underway and getting some good results,” he concluded.

[…]

The Iroquois Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade will be moving ahead now that a construction contract has been approved.

At the December 20th South Dundas council meeting, Chief Administrative Officer Stephen McDonald submitted the recommendation that J.C. Sulpher Construction Ltd. be awarded the contract with their tendered bid of $12,299,808 excluding HST.

The bid was one of seven received, coming in at $176,792 lower than the second lowest bid.  AECOM reviewed all bids and recommended J.C. Sulpher Construction Ltd. to the Ontario Clean Water Agency, who, in turn, agreed and passed on the recommendation to South Dundas council.

In addition to being the lowest bid, J.C. Sulpher Construction Ltd. also provided excellent references, which included work done on the Morrisburg Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Councillor Jim Graham added his recommendation saying, “I’m glad to see Sulpher back. They did a fantastic job.”

[…]

“We started this a number of years ago. We can at least do our share toward it,” said South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds.

He was referring to the Dundas County Food Bank, which has been living rent-free at the Second Street location in Morrisburg.

Council members unanimously agreed that the food bank will continue to have their rental fees waived for as long as they remain at the Second Street location.

[…]

[…]

On December 22nd, Kristine Blokland, a civilian staff member for the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachment in Morrisburg, gave Donna Quesnel, Administrator for the Dundas County Food Bank, a donation of $320 on behalf of the staff and seniors of the North Stor Seniors Support Centre in Finch.

Blokland, a member of the OPP’s Coppertones, sang for the seniors at their annual Christmas celebration in addition to serving them their dinner. 

Quesnel reported that, in addition to actual food items, monetary donations are very important as well because they allow “the FoodBank coordinators to purchase what is missing yet needed for the food boxes.”

Quesnel said, “with this donation, we will be able to purchase a half order of ground beef that can be put in the freezer and be distributed to families over the winter months.”

“Since meat is one of the basic items that the Food Bank provides in small quantities to families in need as part of the food allocation assistance available, once per month, purchases are made locally every couple of months in order to distribute throughout the year,” continued Quesnel. “Donations such as this one helps the FoodBank stock these much needed food items.”

Quesnel offered an updated list of Food Bank needs on December 27th: “Most needed items currently at the Morrisburg DCFB location include: soda crackers and pasta sauce.  These can be dropped off at the Food Bank or in the drop-off bin at Riley’s valu-mart.”

Quesnel said she is grateful for the generosity of so many.

Holiday hours for the Food Bank are Wednesday evenings (Dec 28th and Jan. 4th) from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday afternoons (Dec 29th and Jan. 5th) from 1 to 3 p.m.  

Beginning January 9th, the Food Bank will be open regular hours: Monday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday nights from 7 to 9 p.m., and Thursday afternoons from 1 to 3 p.m. 

[…]

Life’s most basic needs are air, water, food, shelter, and clothing. While there are people all over the world whose most basic needs are not being met, there are also people right here in Dundas County who could use a little help. 

According to Dundas County Food Bank (DCFB) Administrator Donna Quesnel, “donations received at this time of year are extremely important to the Food Bank operations. These donations help enormously with distribution of aid during the winter months when the number of visits is generally high and donations are usually down, understandably.”

At this time, the Food Bank is still in need of the following items: juice and juice boxes; canned fruit and fruit cups for school snacks; canned vegetables; soda crackers; cereal without sugar and without nuts; baby formula; hand soap; toothpaste; and toilet paper.

In addition, Quesnel said that once basic needs are met, the DCFB also tries to provide for baby needs, snacks for children, and toiletries. In addition to formula, baby needs include: junior fruit/vegetables; infant cereals; diapers; and, wipes. Snacks for children include granola bars; crackers with cheese; as well as pudding and fruit cups. 

Additional toiletries like deodorant; shampoo; and so forth are also welcome.

According to Quesnel, “the DCFB mandate is to ‘feed the hungry.’ A five-day emergency food allocation is provided once a month based on number of people in the household.”

Quesnel also provided the Leader with some statistics for the DCFB relating to the past year, from January to the end of November 2011. “The DCFB serves approximately 350 families with approximately 1,500 family visits in one year. This suggests that on average these families would visit the Food Bank on a quarterly basis.”

“Approximately 5,000 people visits are made to the Food Bank in a one-year period. This suggests that the average family size visiting the Food Bank is a three to four person household.”

She continued, adding, “children represent approximately 45 per cent of those served overall by the DCFB, while children represent closer to 50 per cent of those served at the DCFB’s Morrisburg location  and 40 per cent at the Winchester location.”

“The Morrisburg location also tends to serve more people overall, with approximately 55 per cent of people served by the south and 45 per cent by the north. The average family size in the south is slightly greater than in the north.”

DCFB hours are Mondays from 10 a.m. until noon; Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m.; and Thursday afternoons from 1 to 3 p.m.

“During the holiday period, the Food Bank is open: Thursday, December 22nd from 1 to 3 p.m.; Wednesday, December 28th from 7 to 9 p.m.; and Thursday, December 29th from 1 to 3 p.m.”

The two locations are: 17 Second Street in Morrisburg (613-543-0065) and 497 May Street in Winchester (613-774-0188).

To donate, volunteer, or ask for help, please contact one of the listed locations for more information.

“Volunteers are welcome and tours of our Food Bank locations are available on request,” invited Quesnel.

[…]

Lloya and Dwayne Sprague, owners of the Morrisburg Home Hardware, donated generously to the Morrisburg and District Lions Club charity, the Angel Tree Fund. The charity received a load full of toys, which promise to make Santa’s job a little easier this year. The Spragues, who officially took over ownership of the Morrisburg Home Hardware location on July 18th, don’t plan to include toys in their store inventory. As reported in August, the Spragues intend to offer products the existing stores don’t offer already. Without a toy section, Lloya said the pet section can be expanded. According to the Spragues, Don Lewis, South Dundas Manager of Recreation, was instrumental in the donation. He suggested the Sprague’s consider donating the toys in the store’s inventory to the Angel Tree Fund. Thinking that was a great idea, the Spragues wholeheartedly agreed. On December 15th, Wayne Domanko, representative for the Angel Tree Fund, arrived at the store to thank owners and staff. 

[…]

Thanks to the Ladies Auxiliary of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #48, the Morrisburg and District Lions Club charity, the Angel Tree Fund, has increased its capabilities by $1,090. In the Legion Hall, on December 15th, Inez Bilmer (left) and Rita Fowler (right) handed over the large sum to the Angel Tree Fund representative, Wayne Domanko (center). Domanko said the Ladies Auxiliary has “always been extremely generous to the Angel Tree Fund.” He went on to say, “it’s always nice when the Lions and the Legion can cooperate to help others. It’s very much appreciated by the Lions Club and the Angel Tree Fund.” According to Domanko, there are over 200 children’s names on the Angel Tree this year.

[…]