Sarnia is offering free mulch, wood chips, and compost for non-perishable donations to the Inn of the Good Shepherd.
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Until Dec. 13, at the city’s 379 St. Andrew St. compost site, people can pick up one yard of their choice of the materials per visit, while supplies last, in exchange for donations, the city said in a release.
“This is really just a fun way for us to give back, while providing our residents the chance to pick up some AA (top-quality) compost material at next to no price,” said environmental services manager Joe Boothe in the release.
Sarnia occasionally offers giveaways when it assesses stock near the end of the year, said city communications manager Steve Henschel.
The last giveaway was in 2022, he said.
“This year, (staff) were thinking about doing a giveaway, but also wanted to engage the public in the opportunity to do some good for those in need,” he said about the Meals for Mulch drive.
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About 2,200 people rely on the food bank at the Inn of the Good Shepherd each month, executive director Myles Vanni said in Septembernoting then that food bank use at the site had increased 20 per cent in the last year.
Urgently needed item include cereal, fabric softener, pet food, diapers, side dishes, school snacks, cookies, crackers, fruit cups, pudding cups, large soups, canned fruit, peanut butter, jam, boxed macaroni and cheese, dish soap, sugar , coffee, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, and toilet paper.
Mulch, wood chips and compost are created at the city’s compost site from yard waste and brush, Henschel said, noting the process includes standards that are Environment Ministry regulated.
In 2023, the site received 7,928 tonnes of yard waste and brush.
The compost site is open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm
With files from Paul Morden
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