Cycles of Life’s first summer food drive at Metro in Tillsonburg served a twofold purpose.
Food collected on June 24, filling a large van, would be distributed through the Cycles of Life community outreach table Thursdays, 11 am to 1 pm, at Upper Deck, 19 Queen Street, in Tillsonburg.
The food drive also helped raise awareness for the service Cycles of Life provides in the community and their current needs.
“We are looking for volunteers,” said volunteer Diane Wallington, asking interested people to contact Cycles of Life volunteer coordinator and co-founder Mary Jane Phillips ([email protected]) 519-533-8954 or 226-777-4008 .
People visiting their table sometimes asked ‘what is this?’
“We explained that we are a registered charity and that we run a table at Upper Deck,” said Phillips. “No questions are asked of the people who come to the table. If you self-identify that you need a little bit of help, you can come to the table and have what we have at no cost.”
The weekly outreach tables include food, clothes and even small appliances.
“A lot of people are surprised at that and say ‘keep up the good work,’” said Phillips.
Cycles of Life regularly posts on Facebook how many people they serve each week.
“People are amazed at how many people come in and use the table, and that the numbers are growing.”
“In some instances it’s doubled,” Wallington noted.
“We were averaging about 30,” said Phillips, “and in the last month it’s been 82 in a two-hour period, so it is growing.”
Phillips said Cycles of Life is grateful to Metro for supporting them, allowing them to set up a food drive table.
“They are fantastic.”
KTN Taxi and Delivery also supported Cycles of Life by parking an eye-catching antique truck next to the table, boosting their visibility.
“Robert Young of KTN Tillsonburg and Ingersoll is a sponsor, he supports our cause,” said Phillips.
“Sponsorship is a big factor in helping those that need it,” Wallington added.