About 150 volunteers gathered on Family Day to pack 1,500 bags of groceries for vulnerable families across Windsor-Essex, marking the fourth annual ‘Food for Families on Family Day’ initiative. The event, held at Sobeys St. Clair Beach in Lakeshore, raised roughly $30,000 to purchase non-perishable food items that will be distributed through the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society, the Windsor Essex County Food Bank Association, and the Belle River-Rochester Goodfellows Inc. “We raise money to get some food to help people in the community,” said organizer Paul Lue Pann. “So it’s people of the community, for the community.” Lue Pann said the need for support remains significant, “I read an article the other day, one out of four people in Windsor-Essex have food insecurity. So, what a better time to do this, … The food banks are always full at Christmas — in February, not really. So, this is a perfect time to help people in our community.” He said the event has grown more efficient over its four-year run. “Now we do about 1,500 bags, which is about $30,000 worth of food. But now we have a nice, streamlined process,” said Lue Pann. “Next year we want to make it bigger because this year, we’re not only doing Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society, but also doing the Essex food bank, and we’re also doing the Goodfellows from Windsor-Essex and Rochester. Next year I’d like to add more. I want to help out everybody.” Lue Pann told CTV News that volunteers from Co-operators PLP Financial Services, Sobeys St. Clair Beach, LendCity Mortgages, KW Signature Realty, and Rafih Auto Group all offered support. “It’s awesome. It’s nice to give back. It’s nice to be in a position to give back,” he said. “And we’re really helping people in our own community, so it makes sense.” Rick Anderson, president of the Belle River-Rochester Goodfellows, said his organization will receive 300 tote bags from the event to distribute to families in need. “It’s amazing. All these kids — I don’t know where all these kids came from to help — but it’s a wonderful thing,” Anderson exclaimed. “There’s a lot of families out there that need help. This is a great way to help them out.” He said food insecurity is often hidden from public view. “People don’t understand. They don’t see it. They don’t see the other side of the fence,” Anderson said. “There’s a lot of people that need food out there. A lot of hurting families.” Anderson added the donation will make a meaningful difference. “It’ll help a lot. Every little bit helps,” he said. “It’s a wonderful program.”
