Food Forward Program to Address Food Insecurity in Oxford County

Friday, 28 May 2021 05:38

The Women's Employment Resource Centre has received a $35,000 grant from United Way Oxford for the Food Forward Program.

OXFORD COUNTY - The Women's Employment Resource Centre and Food Forward Oxford are teaming up to help address food insecurity and hunger in Oxford County.

The WERC recently received a $35,000 "Poverty to Possibility" grant from United Way Oxford, which will help with this program.

Executive Director of the WERC Heather Bree Davies says the money from this grant is to be used to help fight food insecurity.

"Bringing food from donors and getting it to our food access providers in Oxford County and helping them get food that is kind of getting missed."

This is where Food Forward Oxford comes in. They collect excess food from donors and gives it to people in need. Program Coordinator Cynthia Grant says Food Forward Oxford was initiated by Women’s Employment Resource Centre, Southwestern Public Health, Cycles of Life and Oxford Coalition for Social Justice and is a funded partner of United Way Oxford.

“The more food that we can get to front line food providers the better!”

They collect donated food and distribute to people in need through free meal programs, community tables, shelters and food banks.

Locally we have seen a huge rise in food insecurity during the pandemic. Whether it is the homeless or transient issue in Woodstock, or just people trying to get by to feed their family, while living on CERB wages. It is not just people without homes or who are not working, it is people who lost their job or are dealing with reduced hours at work.

The capacity for agencies to deliver these food programs at the previous levels has been tested and resources are dwindling.

Bree Davies says they are looking for more donors as well.

"Any farmers out there, variety stores, grocery stores, anybody who would like to be a food donor, we would love to have you on board."

If you are interested in being a food donor, contact Cynthia Grant directly at 519-421-2077.