A new group that's calling itself Grannies for Good is hoping to make a difference for local charities.
The concept is simple: twice a year, with the minimum of fuss and no meetings, the group will gather to help meet the needs of a struggling charity.
That's exactly what will happen Sunday, Oct. 20 at 7 a.m.
Participants are asked to gather in the parking lot of the Metro grocery store on Lasalle Boulevard with donations for the Infant Food Bank.
Grannies for Good are looking for either monetary or physical donations for the charity.
All monetary donations should be placed in a sealed envelope and include your complete name and mailing address.
Cheques can be made out to the Infant Food Bank. All donations of $20 or more will be issued and mailed a charitable donation receipt for your 2019 tax return.
In terms of donations of actual items, most needed are size 4, 5 and 6 diapers, formula (stage one powder and or liquid formulas, e.g. Enfamil A+1, Kirkland brand low iron, Walmart brand powder Stage 1, and President's Choice Stage 1), baby food (jars and pouches for six months, 8 months and 12 months), baby cereals for up to 12 months and baby wash, lotion and oil.
Michele Caruso, one of the event's organizers, said large numbers of new immigrant families are moving from Toronto to Greater Sudbury.
It's not a well-known phenomenon, but meeting the needs of these families has put a lot of strain on local charities such as the Infant Food Bank, she said.
There's a yearly Christmas donation drive, “but in the meantime, our shelves are empty,” said Caruso, who volunteers with the Infant Food Bank.
While 7 a.m. might seem like a bit of an early hour, especially on a Sunday, Caruso said they chose that time to avoid interfering with the Metro grocery store's business hours or traffic on Lasalle Boulevard.
The group was started by a bunch of “grannies” who wanted to make a difference for those in need in Greater Sudbury. But despite the name, you don't actually have to be a granny or even female to participate.
Caruso said the group is actually going to have to stop using the Grannies for Good name after the initial event because it turns out there's already a charitable group operating under the same name.
The next Grannies for Good (or whatever the group eventually changes its name to) event will take place in April.
If you'd like to be put on the group's contact list, or if you'd like to find out more about the Oct. 20 event, email [email protected].
