OSHaRE is thanking the community for supporting the organization throughout 2022 as they move ahead to the new year.
Board of Directors member Thom McDonough says looking back on the past year, it was a good year for the organization with the return of their volunteer base, in addition to bringing on new volunteers.
While he was not able to identify the quantity of people who have used their services, McDonough says they saw an increase in people using OSHaRE compared to 2021.
He adds their major accomplishment in 2022 was being able to keep providing food to the vulnerable population of Owen Sound.
“The start of the year we were struggling. We limited the number of volunteers and we had a certain core group of volunteers because OSHaRE is so dependant on volunteer help, that at the start of the year that core group, had been on for almost two and a half years of pretty continuous work. That was a challenge, but as we got through the year, things really eased off,” says McDonough.
While facing a diminished staff, McDonough says through various programs like the Food Rescue Program from Zhers and Foodland, they saw major contributions of food OSHaRE was able to use. Additionally, they received support from the farming community who would offer reduced prices for various items.
For 2023, McDonough says OSHaRE aims to continue to offer their services, but do have concerns.
“We do have concerns about the impact of inflation on some of the guests that use our services here. That causes us some concern, and has been the source of, I think, seeing a few more people accessing our meal service plan,” says McDonough.
McDonough thanks to the community for their support as well as to their volunteer staff.
“I really can’t say enough about the generosity of our volunteers and of the community,” says McDonough.
