With the Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner cancelled due to COVID-19, the Municipality has found another way to show appreciation for our community volunteers.

For the past several years, the Municipality of Meaford has been holding an annual celebration to thank all of the volunteers across the community who lend a helping hand to programs, charitable organizations, and community events. With an average of 300 volunteers attending each year, the volunteer appreciation dinner would see Municipal Staff and Council members cooking, serving, and bussing tables while volunteers enjoyed a meal, live music, raffle prizes, and community fellowship. This year’s dinner had been scheduled for April 22, 2020.

In lieu of the volunteer dinner, in this time of community need the Municipality has decided to donate the $4,000 allocated for the event to the Golden Town Outreach Foodbank.

“It’s been a great way to show our appreciation for the many volunteers who make Meaford such a great place to live,” said Mayor Barb Clumpus. “The invitations had just gone out before COVID-19 began to impact our community, and we’re disappointed to have to cancel the event for this year. In recognition of the valuable service the many volunteers contribute to our community, and in lieu of the annual dinner, we feel it is appropriate to contribute much-needed funding to our Golden Town Outreach Food Bank.”

“During times of uncertainty, foodbanks are needed more than ever,” said Manager of Strategic Initiatives Janet Sperling. “This organization does a great job supporting the community year round, and now they’re stepping up to meet this new challenge and continuing to provide this essential service when it’s needed the most.”

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we've seen so much kindness and community spirit as friends and neighbours work together and help each other. To find more stories of community caring, or to share your own, visit www.meaford.ca/MeafordCares.

source: media release, Meaford