In an effort to provide much-needed financial assistance to the local food banks in Valley East and Capreol, The Vision Paper is pleased to announce the creation of the “Cash For Food” fund-raising drive. Further details will be published in an upcoming edition of The Vision Paper which will commemorate the official launching of the fund-raiser.

The project, which is believed to be the first such drive in the region, involves the co-operative efforts of the owners and staff members of Moncion’s Your Independent Grocers; Desjardins Food Basics; LOEB Val Est; and Capreol Fresh Mart. In addition, it has received the whole-hearted endorsement of St. Vincent de Paul’s Food Bank of Val Caron; the Good Neighbours Food Bank of Hanmer; and the Bread & Roses Food Bank of Capreol, featured in the photo. From the right we have Bea Arnill, Pastor of Trinity Church where the Bread & Roses Food Bank is located; Marilyn Liske, Maria Ryan, Jean Gibson and Marie Jones, the co-ordinator of the Food Bank in Capreol.

“Cash For Food”  will raise money through the sale of individual memberships to the Infocom Price Club, a discount shopping group operated by a young Valley East entrepreneur, Warren Kirwan, owner of Infocom Canada Business Consultants. The shopping club consists of more than 200 businesses, including over 55 from Valley East and Capreol, which are offering fantastic discounts to members of the club. A total of $10 from the annual membership fee of $27 will be earmarked for the three local food banks which will then use the money to purchase goods and services needed by the less fortunate residents of our community.

The Vision Paper is grateful for the opportunity to help bring all segments of the community together in this very worthwhile effort. The owners of the major local grocery stores have graciously donated space and the services of their staff to sell the memberships to the general public. Local businesses have offered great discounts as a way of improving the value of the memberships. Residents of the community who purchase a membership in the Infocom Price Club will save hundreds of dollars by supporting local small businesses and thereby stimulating the sluggish local economy. Most importantly, the people who are down on their luck and in need of food and clothing will benefit from the “Cash for Food” fund-raising drive as local Food Banks are now given the means to stock their shelves with necessary goods all year long.

Anyone who is interested in finding out more information on the “Cash For Food” fund-raising drive can pick up a flyer at Moncion’s; Food Basics; LOEB Val Est; Capreol Fresh Mart; St. Vincent de Paul’s or The Vision Paper at the top of the hill in Hanmer. You can also visit the web site at www.infocompriceclub.com to see how the Infocom Price Club operates and see the discounts available to members. Be watching future editions of The Vision Paper for additional details about the project.

We also want to remind everyone that in an effort to help the Good Neighbours Food Bank with their Christmas Food Drive, The Vision Paper will be accepting food donations at our office at the top of the hill beside Tasse Motors in Hanmer. On your way to or from work, or as you are driving back from shopping, think of the clients of the Good Neighbours Food Bank and see if you can spare a few non-perishable food items. The staff of the Vision will see to it that the food gets delivered to the Food Bank and into the hands of those who need it most.