Not Just A Food Program

Making a Difference in Oshawa (Bi-Weekly News - Issue 1)

Hello Oshawa!

Welcome to the very first edition of our bi-weekly newsletter, where we'll keep you updated on the vital work you're helping us achieve for our most vulnerable neighbours right here in Oshawa.

We are truly inspired by the growing wave of community support! Your generosity, whether big or small, is directly impacting the lives of individuals facing hardship in our city. Thank you for standing with us.

Exciting Progress!

We've reached a significant milestone: we can now plan our essential supply needs roughly two weeks in advance. This allows us to move beyond day-to-day operations and become more strategic and efficient in providing support.

Stronger Together: Our Valued Partnerships

Collaboration is key to expanding our reach. We extend our deepest gratitude to our incredible partners:

• Front Porch Mentors: Their crucial support ensures we can connect with individuals experiencing housing insecurity, breaking down barriers to access.
• Socks: We deeply value their shared resources, which contribute to the compassionate care we provide to everyone we serve.
• Oshawa Picnic Club: We are thrilled to announce a new partnership with this local outreach organization that directly supports individuals experiencing homelessness. We will be providing weekly sandwich donations to bolster their on-the-ground efforts and are actively working to increase our supplies to meet this growing need. Together, we are strengthening the network of care for our most vulnerable neighbours.

Urgent Need: Frozen Turkey Donations

Currently, our meat supply is limited, which impacts the variety of sandwich options we can offer. To address this, we urgently need donations of frozen turkeys. We have arrangements with a health board-approved kitchen to ensure safe preparation, allowing us to provide more diverse and nutritious options. Offering variety is a fundamental aspect of showing greater care and compassion. This is also a cost-effective way for you to contribute.

Our Independence: Unwavering Compassion

Not Just A Food Program operates independently, without any political or religious affiliations. Our early experiences during the pandemic highlighted the systemic neglect faced by our homeless and marginalized neighbours. Maintaining our independence allows us to act with unwavering love and compassion for every individual we serve, free from external agendas that may overlook critical individual needs. While we recognize the importance of broad policies, we firmly believe in the indispensable role of grassroots efforts like ours in filling the gaps.

Accessibility is Key

Our commitment to accessibility means providing delivery options for individuals with mobility challenges or those who may face barriers accessing traditional service locations due to transportation costs, safety concerns, or potential trauma. We understand these realities and are dedicated to offering compassionate support to those who might otherwise be left behind.

Looking Ahead: Proactive Planning

Moving forward, each bi-weekly newsletter will include a clear list of our anticipated supply needs for the upcoming two or more weeks. This proactive approach helps us minimize purchases using our limited budget. For some items, we will indicate the regular cheapest price we've found in Oshawa to help you maximize the impact of your donations. Please note that this price is a guide based on our frequent purchases and not a suggestion that you can't find the items elsewhere.

As a 100% donation and volunteer-based initiative, we deeply appreciate both material and financial contributions. While cash donations are gratefully accepted, we warmly encourage those who are able to personally purchase and deliver needed items. For those with delivery challenges, we may have volunteers who can assist with pick-up.

Exciting New Initiative: Plant Share For All!

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our Plant Share For All initiative! This program aims to educate participants about options to improve their health and wellness. We will provide all necessary supplies, plants, and education about their potential health benefits, working together to grow year-round and share the harvest. Even those who don't directly participate will benefit from the freely shared education and can learn about hydroponic growing in small spaces.

We believe that health and wellness options should be freely accessible to all, especially those struggling financially. While costly options for year-round, healthy food growth exist, we aim to provide options that everyone in our community can freely access, demonstrating that real options exist for all.

This initiative is part of our long-term vision to provide options for individuals to actively participate in improving their health and wellness through growing their own food. We are also working towards options for those who cannot grow for themselves due to various challenges. These are long-term goals, and we are growing step by step. You can be an integral part of our journey to provide more and more love and compassion for everyone in our community. We believe that through direct, daily actions, we can be the change we want to see in the world!

What Supplies We Need:

• Sandwich Bags (600)
• XL Gloves (100)
• Child Snacks (2-5 Year Olds)(enough for 30 Meals)
• Snacks (6-16 Year Olds)(enough for 50 Meals)

Special Request:

• Squares Rubbermaid 2.9 Cups or 669 ml Containers & Lids (Package of 4). We are seeking 100 packages, found at the Dollar Store for $3.75 each. These containers will be used for our microgreen program to enhance the nutritional value and freshness of lunches, aiming to reduce plastic bag usage and improve food handling. This initiative encourages active participation in improving food quality and supports those showing a commitment to their health and wellness journey.

Thank you for your continued support! Together, we are making a real difference in the lives of our neighbours in Oshawa.

Next, we will discuss the importance of participating in local small businesses and how your small business can join our efforts to support our community's most in need.