All  food banks remained open throughout the pandemic, as we are declared essential. Pelham Cares is 85% volunteer run with only 2 part time staff. Through the past year we had to minimize volunteers capacity along with increase staff responsibilities. Our staff and volunteers have been on the frontlines, working incredibly hard to continue to serve those who need it the most, despite many challenges. Pelham Cares is so grateful for the selfless support of all those involved that made Pelham Cares continue to thrive to meet our community needs.

Pelham Cares 2020 at a glance…

• Transitioned clients able to enter and browse model to a contactless “drive thru” pick up by appointment
• Limited the number of volunteers capacity within our facility and food drive
• Increased staff responsibilities
• Ordering and purchasing items by bulk
• Purchased freezer for additional storage
• Upgraded our driveway for visibility and added an extra parking spot
• Partnered with other food banks, resulting in further storage support for both dry-items and frozen food
• Purchased further shelving to expand our storage
• Introduced Zoom for board meetings and staff training
• Provided summer activity boxes for families this past summer
• Changed annual food drive as a  drive thru food drive adhered to Ontario Public Health regulation

Pelham Cares had an increase this year

• 31% increase in use of our services
• 92% increase in emergency food orders
• 163% increase in providing referrals for further supports

Tremendous Community Support

When we say “it takes a village..” we mean it! Our fundraising efforts were challenged, as was the case for many other agencies and clubs this past year. At Pelham Cares, we were supported through many creative fundraising efforts within the community. The following top creative fundraising supporters exceed over $2,000 in donations:

• Keith’s Restaurant Cookbook
• Pelham Cares Gives Back Raffle
• Meridian Community Centre Drive Thru Food Drive
• 3rd Fonthill Scouting’s Toilet Paper Ornament project
• The “JoyTruck” Light up truck
• Pelham Street Grille’s Pancake Breakfast
• Fenwick Parade
• Pet Valu – Dog and Cat food for our furry friends support
• Sobeys’  Donate $2 to Pelham Cares Campaign
• Peter Piper Pub Golf Tournament

We are so grateful for the outstanding community supporters and the way that businesses came together and joined in many of these efforts to also support Pelham Cares while many were experiencing their own challenges. It makes it such an honour to be located in such compassionate and supportive community.

Thankful for our Grant Partners:

• Niagara Region
• Niagara Community Foundation
• Nutritional Partners
• Branscombe Foundation
• Food Bank Canada

We received a shipment of emergency food boxes from Feed Ontario, we had the ability to share with those who struggled with food demands such as Youth Shelters, soup kitchens and those servicing individuals who are experiencing homelessness.

We cannot say thank you enough to all of our volunteers, The Town of Pelham, Pelham’s small businesses, our local schools, organizations and social clubs that equally supported us this year. Every contribution goes right back into the community and aids us to remain open and essential. We cannot thank you enough Pelham Community!