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Lunch Money Tuesday is a go at the GOBy Angela Blackburnthan 42 community agencies inresident George Bagaco in 1995. Army Oakville, Sexual Assault andOAKVILLE BEAVER STAFFOakville, Burlington, north Halton,He would stop at a bakery on hisViolence Interventions Serviceseven some areas of Mississauga andway home from work and fill his(SAVIS), Support and Housing,Lunch money, loose change, pettyHamilton.trunk with baked goods, which hedHalton, St. Hildas Church, Kerrcash.Last year, we helped more thandistribute to needy families in hisSeniors, Arts Arthouse and more.To some, its spare change. To oth-20,000 people by delivering 900,000neighbourhood.Among the food donors are COBSers, lunch is pretty important. To yetpounds of food, said CharlotteNo man, woman or child shouldBread, Metro, Hopedale Mall, Oakvilleothers, it may equal the most nutri-Redekop-Young, executive director of have to go hungry while stores, res-Italian Bakery, Starbucks, Oakvilletious food they get.Food for Life.taurants and other food suppliers areand Burlington, Little Caesars Pizza,Food for Life will have volunteersIn addition, Food for Life has moretossing out good food into our land-Farmers Market, Oakville Place, andat the local GO stations on Tuesday,than 33 outreach programs in hous-fill, Bagaco is reputed as saying.more.May 31.ing complexes and low-income neigh-Over time, Food for Life has grownAmong the sponsors for the com-It happens to be World Hungerbourhoods in Halton.with help from local Rotary clubs andmunity outreach programs are theCharlotte Redekop-YoungAwareness Day and the volunteers willFunds raised during the drive willKerr Street Ministries.Halton United Ways (Oakville,be asking commuters to donate theirhelp offset the costs of Food for LifesIt was incorporated in 2003.Burlington, Milton and Halton Hills)throughout the community andlunch money to the cause.operation one that translates intoToday, it operates seven days a weekand ArcelorMittal Dofasco (Burlingtonmakes connections that create good. For the last decade, Food for Lifethe delivery of $7 worth of food forand picks up surplus and near dueOutreach programs).If those connections were nothas been collecting surplus food fromevery $1 raised, said Redekop-Young.date foods in one area of the commu-Other sponsors include the Maymade, there would be waste, want andlocal restaurants and food stores andThe food delivered often assistsnity and redistributes it to others.Court Club of Oakville, Civitan Club of unmet needs.redistributing what is still good foodthose in need budget more effectivelyIn 2008, it saw the birth of theOakville, Halton Healthy CommunityFood for Life assists businessesthat would be destined for the dump.or stretch their groceries to makeregional Refresh Foods program, aFund, Oakville Toyota, Paradisoreduce what they send to landfill. TheDespite working in the commu-their funds go farther.food logistics and redistribution pro-Restaurant, Halton Region, Knights of agency notes its efforts are removingnity for approximately a decade, manyVolunteers at the GO stations ingram that collects surplus food fromColumbus Oakville, GE Canada, Cuccienough food from landfill to equal theresidents still dont know what FoodOakville, Burlington and Halton Hillscorporate food manufacturers forRestaurant, Longos and more.removal of 250 cars off the road.for Life does, said Food for Life boardwill be asking commuters for a lunchredistribution to local food banks andFood donors are protected throughmIn her 2010 annual report,ember Basil Elliott.money donation.social service agencies.the 1994 Ontario Donation of FoodRedekop-Young noted food distribut-It collects fresh surplus food (bakedAccording to Redekop-YoungAmong Food for Life clients areAct, but those who want to help caned that year was 906,000 lbs. a 50goods, fruit and vegetables, meat andhowever, the awareness to both FoodForestview Church Without Walls,always do so through volunteering orper cent increase over 2009.dairy) from local grocery stores, res-for Life and the need in the commu-Halton Womens Place, Home Suitedonating monetarily. For more infor-Redekop-Young hopes to boosttaurants and the corporate food sectornity, is just as, if not more important,Hope, Oak Park Moms and Tots,mation, visit www.foodforlife.ca ordonations from the corporate sector.seven days a week.than the funds collected.Oakville Youth Development Centre,contact Redekop-Young at 905-510-Food for Life began with OakvilleIt then delivers that food to moreFood for Life helps many peopleOakwood Public School, Salvation5724 or 905-635-1106.www.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, May 27, 2011 36