Donation bins are a common sight at this time of year, as groups of all sorts collect items to help others to celebrate the holiday season, but sometimes the people who need the most assistance get left out.
A recently elected city councillor is looking to fill a gap that often exists among those donations – items for people with sensitivities to food and other products.
“I personally used food banks when I was younger and I have a lot of food issues myself, so I know first-hand how it feels like to go to a place when you need help to feed yourself and there’s nothing there you can eat,” said Erin Caton, who is also chair of the Environmental Sensitivities Coalition of Canada and a former member of the city’s accessibility advisory committee. "I know exactly how hard it is to live this way.
“A lot of the gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan items that also work for people that have allergies, tend to be marked up a lot. We call it the disability tax, so those don’t get (donated often).”
With that in mind, a donation bin will be set up inside the lobby at city hall Dec. 1 to Dec. 9 to accept contributions.
Needed items include allergen-free food products and other special dietary items, unscented and/or alcohol-free personal care and cleaning products, incontinence products, unbleached home and menstrual products, as well as meal replacement drinks.
“It makes the difference between eating and not eating,” Caton said of having such items available for people in need. “People who have these food issues and are on limited incomes, because they’re more expensive, generally, they have even less to eat than other people who are going to the food bank."
Collected items will be distributed through Chalmers Centre, North End Harvest Market and Your Downtown Friends.
Caton recently issued a challenge to all businesses making holiday donations to think of the disabled community when doing so.
“I know we can help a lot of people who have the hardest time getting support,” they tweeted.
Hey #Guelph! From
— Councillor Caton (@CouncillorCaton) November 30, 2022
December 1-9, there will be a donation bin in City Hall at 1 Carden St in support of @ChalmersCentre, North End Harvest Market & Your Downtown Friends for items not found in food banks. Allergen free foods & other special diet items… https://t.co/bTYNOc4M7W
