The kindness of strangers has meant that Hope Chapel in Collingwood is continuing to serve the community with a full cupboard.
Following a story in CollingwoodToday on Oct. 13 about Hope Chapel’s Community Cupboard running bare with two weeks of the month left to go before it could be restocked by the church, the church received $2,700 in monetary donations, as well as an overwhelming number of in-kind donations of food, toiletries and clothing.
“After the article appeared, donations began coming at a regular rate. It was a little overwhelming at first,” said Pastor Jane Peck, lead pastor at Hope Chapel. “We are so thankful for the people who have brought in bags of food and clothing and for the promises to continue to help in the future.”
The church spends $1,300 a month of its own funds to fill the cupboard, but Peck says with the number of pantry staples donated this month, the church can now focus its funds on fresh produce, dairy and meat.
Looking toward the future, Peck says she does have concerns about the pantry getting low heading into the coldest winter months.
“The needs of our community are only increasing,” she said. “We are fully aware that we are just a small organization among a number attempting to meet the needs of people in our community.”
Items most regularly needed at the cupboard include milk, eggs, ground hamburger, chicken, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lunch items for children, cereal preferred by children, dish and laundry detergent, all-purpose cleaner, ketchup, salad dressing, vegetable oil and white sugar.
Hope Chapel will be hosting a free winter clothing giveaway the week of Nov. 6 to 10 for high school students, with the giveaway opening to the community on Nov. 10 from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the church. The church will also be holding a Christmas Craft Sale on Dec. 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with some proceeds going toward the community cupboard.
