NEWS RELEASE
ANTI-HUNGER COALITION TIMMINS
*************************
Farmers, gardeners, local food lovers, and community members gathered on Sept. 30 for Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins’ (ACT) 8th annual Harvest Moon Potluck and Silent Auction, hosted at Covenant United Church. The community potluck featured a spread of delectable family-favourite dishes – many made with local ingredients.
The unique ‘homegrown’ silent auction of generously donated goods and services included items such as paintings, pottery, jewellery, canned and baked goods, and local service packages.
The silent auction in combination with the $5 entry fee raised $2,700 in support of the Good Food Box, Collective Cooking, and Community Gardens programs of ACT. These funds will help ongoing efforts to ensure that people in Timmins and area have the resources to access and prepare healthy food.
Noella Rinaldo was the highest bidder for a painting titled The Artist donated by local artist Richard Lamarche who is widely known for the mural painting downtown, along with a custom-made frame donated by Katie Malo at Black Spruce Gallery and Framing.
“Although we couldn't make the event, my husband and I were excited to find out we could bid online. You have to love technology! I had been following Richard's work for about a year and loved his work!” said Noella Rinaldo.
“It was for a good cause and we had just celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. So we agreed on how high we would bid and online we went. We were bidding against a friend so it added to the drama. We were thrilled when the bids closed and we were the highest bidders. Thank you, Richard Lamarche and Katie Malo, for your donations to benefit ACT. The Artist is hanging in our home, Happy Anniversary to us!”
Recognizing that building a strong, vibrant, and local food system requires a collaborative network of community members; ACT gave special recognition to both a community organization and an ACT volunteer who have gone above and beyond to enhance food security in Timmins.
Lucien Cloutier received the recognition of Local Food Security Champion for an ACT volunteer. Lucien is a long-time community gardener and supporter who gives endless amounts of time and expertise to maintain the Kidd Operations Community Gardens site.
The Local Food Security Champion recognition for an organization was received by Project Love, which works to ease hunger and despair among a growing number of vulnerable Timmins residents. Project Love serves Sunday and Monday night dinners along with school lunches for an average of 300 people per week.
ACT is humbled by the ongoing community support for their food security initiatives and the Harvest Moon event, and would like to give a heartfelt thank you to this year’s generous attendees and community donors.
*************************
