Community comes out to “Fill the Bus” for three local charities

Volunteers helped donors “Fill the Bus” at three local grocery stores including Rob & Tina’s No Frills.

Walmart (above) and Sobeys (below), the latter seeing members of the Amherstburg Fire Department stop by with a fire truck. Proceeds benefit the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission, Be the Light Outreach Ministry and Amherstburg Community Services (ACS).

Volunteers helped donors “Fill the Bus” at three local grocery stores including Rob & Tina’s No Frills (left), Walmart (centre) and Sobeys (right), the latter seeing members of the Amherstburg Fire Department stop by with a fire truck. Proceeds benefit the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission, Be the Light Outreach Ministry and Amherstburg Community Services (ACS).

A charitable campaign to help feed those in need returned last weekend.

“Fill the Bus” saw buses return to the parking lots at Sobeys, Rob & Tina’s No Frills and Walmart June 27-28 with shoppers being encouraged to drop of non-perishable food items and/or cash.

Early returns were positive as Laurie Hatton, one of the organizers, indicated donations started coming in when the campaign first started. Annette Sak from Amherstburg Community Services (ACS), who was at Walmart for the weekend, confirmed that donations were stronger this year early on.

“It’s nice to see the community come together,” said Hatton. “It’s wonderful.”

The donations were brought back to Encounter Church late in the day last Sunday and sorted Monday. They are being divided between ACS, the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission and Be The Light Outreach Ministry.

“The needs in the community are growing more and more every year,” said Hatton. “It’s hard for these organizations that help people to keep their shelves stocked.”

The community had an opportunity to provide what the non-profit groups needed. Hatton said people who are able to donate have stepped up.

“People who can donate are definitely doing so,” she said.

A barbecue and colouring contest were part of this year’s “Fill the Bus” campaign. Prizes were donated by sponsors who helped support the campaign. 

“We started five-years-ago. I knew Jasmine and Jeremy Mulder from Be The Light were spending their own money and their volunteers were spending money to feed the homeless in Windsor and those in need in Amherstburg,” said Hatton.

Hatton said the June 27th Miracle that was held several years ago helped a lot of causes but she wanted that spirit to continue. She modelled the current fundraiser after a similar event in Milton and “every year it gets bigger.”

The sponsors and supporters of this year’s campaign were thanked as well as the volunteers who gave of their time. Those who contributed food items or cash were also appreciated.

“Once again, Fill the Bus has been a huge success, and Amherstburg is a generous and giving community. We are grateful to everyone who gave physical items and financially.  We are overjoyed with the success of the event and all the willing and helpful volunteers. We are grateful to God for this annual opportunity to help our neighbors seen and unseen,” said Jasmine Mulder.

The event, which was organized by a team of four individuals, would not have been possible without the help of over 50 volunteers, including high school students, members of Encounter Church, the Amherstburg Karate Club to name a few, Hatton said. 

“We are also grateful to our media sponsors, the River Town Times, and CKBG radio, as well as Encounter Church who donated our new banners and provided printing services,” she said. “Special thanks to the local businesses who fed our volunteers this weekend including Naples Pizza on Saturday, Dominos Pizza on Sunday, and Quesada Burritos and Tacos on Monday. Thank you to the staff of Sobeys, No Frills, and Walmart for their support this weekend. Switzer-Carty Transportation once again outdid themselves by providing exceptional bus drivers who gave 100 per cent - punctual, professional, and very helpful!”

Hatton added organizers want to thank all the children who took time to enter our colouring contest. 

“We hope you had fun. Congratulations to the 3 randomly drawn winners of the colouring contest Ace H, Haven H, and Adalynn. They have been contacted and may pick up their prize at Beavertails in Amherstburg,” she said.

“While the Fill the Bus campaign helps keep our shelves stocked, we also need volunteers to keep our mission running. We’re especially looking for cleaners and dishwashers to help cover vacation schedules over the summer months,” said Mission board member Jill Kanwischer.

Sak added that Walmart made their jobs a bit easier, organizing bags that people could simply pick up and pay for as a donation. 

Cash donations of over $2,500 were also received which help the organizations to purchase things such as meat and fresh produce. If you would like to give, please send an e-transfer to info@encounteraburg.ca.

Community comes out to “Fill the Bus” for three local charities

By Ron Giofu