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Lunch Is On Us Creates Connection

December 10, 2019 Leave a Comment

Last Thursday, a woman (we’ll call her Mary) stopped in to Lunch Is On Us to pick up lunch for herself, and for a friend who was grieving over the loss of a loved one. The friend had told her she wasn’t eating much, so Mary thought some goulash soup and chicken pasta, along with company, would perk her up a bit. “I grew up with goulash” she told the chefs, Jay and Lydia, “It’s like comfort food to me.” She left just before meal service was closing.

At 2:15, Mary came flying back in the door. “Do you still have food?” she asked, slightly breathless. Jay assured her there was some left so she got the same orders again, explaining as she waited. As Mary had been walking to her friend’s house, she passed a woman walking a dog. They said a few words, and the other person confided that she was just in town that day to support someone going through cancer treatments. Mary listened and then thrust her bag with the two lunches at her. “Here take these,” she exclaimed. “They will be fairly easy for your friend to eat and I can go and get more.” She explained that Lunch Is On Us is all about connection and that they were free from SIRCH. With a smile, the woman took the lunches from Mary, thanked her, and headed back to her friend.

This is exactly what Lunch Is On Us is about. Making a winter day a little less lonely, a little less isolating—and a lot more bright for the Haliburton County community.

From November through March, SIRCH offers a free lunch once a week in Haliburton Village. Since we started in November, we’ve served 329 guests 129 main dishes, 127 sandwiches, and 211 soups and salads! All free. All done through donations, sponsorship and fundraising.

Gifts from the Heart is our major fundraiser and it supports Lunch Is On Us. To contribute to this year’s Gifts from the Heart campaign, visit www.sirch.on.ca/gifts or phone 705-457-1742. To make a donation in person, you can visit SIRCH’s offices Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., located at 49 Maple Avenue, Unit 4, Haliburton.

We hope to see Mary back every Thursday. And we hope to see you at SIRCH Central too (2 Victoria Street, Haliburton). Come and eat in, tell some tales, relax. Or take food out and share with a friend. Lunch is on us.

The Joys of Giving Tuesday

November 28, 2019 Leave a Comment

This year, Giving Tuesday is December 3, 2019

When you Google “giving” the top two definitions are “providing love or other emotional support” and “to freely transfer the possession of (something) to (someone).”

Giving Tuesday, on December 3 this year, is a global movement for giving that takes place each year after Black Friday. It was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Now it is a movement—an international day of charitable giving at the beginning of the Christmas and holiday season.

What organizations would you like to provide your support to? It’s something we all might want to think about. What causes are dear to my heart? Have I or a loved one received help from an organization or group during a difficult time? Is there an issue I feel passionate about? Is there a condition I want to change? Is there a service in this community that enriches the lives of my neighbours? Where can my donation make a difference?

Involve your family and friends in the discussion. It’s never too early to start the conversation with children either. Ask them what they care about, or would like to change. If they’re older, encourage them to research some charities and choose one, then to donate a small amount. Even a little makes a difference.

As a society we are known by how we look after and support those most in need, and those most vulnerable. Wherever you give, give generously, with a caring heart.

-Gena Robertson, Executive Director, SIRCH Community Services

Volunteer fixers needed for SIRCH’s new Repair Cafés

November 27, 2019

Are you a tinker? A fixer? A mender? A repairer? Can you fix small appliances like broken toasters or blenders? Do you know how to mend ripped clothes? Change a bike tire? Fix broken electronics? Mend a cracked vase? Repair a torn book cover? Darn socks? Level a wobbly table?

SIRCH Community Services is looking for volunteers to join our team of Repair Café Fixers.

Volunteer Fixers will help people mend their broken items at SIRCH’s new Repair Cafés.

Repair Cafés help people repair broken household items—computers, electronics, small appliances, small furniture, clothes, jewelry, books, bikes and more—that could otherwise end up in landfills. Originally begun in 2009 in the Netherlands, Repair Cafés now take place all over the world. SIRCH is excited to bring Repair Cafés to Haliburton County. SIRCH is organizing a series of Repair Cafés in Haliburton County from January to August 2020.

A recent study states that Canadians produce more garbage per capita than any other country on earth. Each Canadian generates approximately 2.7 kg of garbage each day. Communities across the country—including Haliburton County—struggle with an increasing amount of residential waste that ends up in local landfills. SIRCH’s Repair Cafés are a vital way to help reduce the amount of waste that needs to be disposed of by giving household items a new life thanks to volunteer Fixers!

“We’re especially looking for people who are handy repairing clothing, textiles, bicycles, electrical appliances, furniture, and wood items,” said Chris Varga, SIRCH’s Repair Café Coordinator. “As a Fixer, you’ll be able to put your skills to great use, helping others repair broken items that would be serviceable if fixed, or items that have sentimental value.”

People interested in becoming a volunteer Fixer can complete a Volunteer Application Form at www.sirch.on.ca/repaircafe or contact SIRCH by phoning 705-457-1742 or emailing info@sirch.on.ca.

If you have an item that is broken and can likely be repaired, visit www.sirch.on.ca/repaircafe to learn about planned Repair Café events scheduled throughout Haliburton County from January to August 2020.

SIRCH’s Repair Café is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. OTF awarded $108 million to 629 projects last year to build healthy and vibrant communities in Ontario.

Support a local charity this season

November 22, 2019

“Charities are a key part of our society and our economy. They are integral to our conception of what being Canadian means. In every community across the country, they deliver health, education and social services; they cater to our cultural, recreational and spiritual needs; and they work to protect animals and our natural environment. They provide opportunities for personal growth and community engagement; they offer established and regulated ways to fulfill our philanthropic goals; and they employ a significant proportion of the population. Although the money charities use to fulfill their missions comes from many sources – including government, business, and the sale of goods and services – almost all organizations rely to some extent on donations from individual Canadians.”
– 30 Years of Giving in Canada, Imagine Canada, 2018

Our social safety net is one of the very reasons that Canada is considered one of the best places in the world to live. According to Imagine Canada (formerly the Canadian Center for Philanthropy), Canadians give an average of $200 to charity every year. The top 4 reasons they give are:

Compassion for a cause they personally believe in
A desire to make a contribution to their community
Belief in the cause of the organization
They have been personally affected or know someone that has been personally affected by the cause the organization supports.

Canada, as it turns out, is a very generous country ranking third of 24 countries in their contributions to charity, measured as a percentage of GDP (Charities Aid Foundation, 2016). We are topped only by the United States and New Zealand. That’s something to be proud of! Ontario ranks third lowest of six regions of Canada for the number of donors, but second highest in average amount donated.

Clearly some of those generous donors want to support Haliburton County. We continue to be amazed and gratified at the outpouring of generosity of donors who support our Gifts from the Heart campaign. Families who are buying a “gift” for SIRCH as stocking stuffers. Businesses who are donating in the names of customers and staff. Parents who are making several small donations (and get getting gift cards from us) to give to their children’s teachers, instructors and coaches. People who have received our services and are paying it forward. And those of you who are opening your hearts and pocketbooks to help us level the playing field for those among us who are most vulnerable and/or experiencing difficult times.

We take your generosity seriously. We will spend your money wisely and on those most in need among us. We will create resilience and confidence with it. We will ensure every dollar stays in Haliburton County. We will treat every dollar with respect. That’s our promise to you.

-Gena Robertson, Executive Director, SIRCH Community Services

This fall and winter—Lunch Is On Us!

October 31, 2019

To help make the winter a little less lonely, a little less isolating—and a lot more bright—SIRCH Community Services is hosting Lunch Is On Us for the Haliburton County community.

“Winter can be tough! Below freezing temperatures, limited sunlight, and higher-than-ever household expenses, can leave you feeling pretty down and alone some days.” said Gena Robertson, Executive Director of SIRCH. “Lunch Is On Us lets you meet up with your friends or come and make new ones while having a delicious and healthy lunch at no cost to you!”

Starting November 7, 2019 until February 27, 2020, SIRCH will host Lunch Is On Us each Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at SIRCH Central, 2 Victoria Street, Haliburton. (Note, there is no Lunch Is On Us on Boxing Day, December 26, 2019.)

“Each Thursday, Lunch Is On Us will feature a different menu,” Jay McIvor, SIRCH’s Food Initiatives Coordinator, said enthusiastically. “For example, one week we may serve a hearty chilli with homemade buns, and another we’ll serve grilled cheese with bacon and homemade soup—always with a dessert, of course. We can serve 50 to 60 people each week. Meals can be eaten-in or taken-out.”

The first Lunch Is On Us is on November 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

These lunches have been made possible by donations to Gifts from the Heart, sponsorships and other donations. “Lunch Is On Us is free of charge,” said Robertson. “It’s our way of thanking and supporting the community we live in, and we also are able to offer training opportunities to past graduates of Cook It Up. A donation jar will be available and if you’d like to ‘pay it forward’ we’d appreciate it, but there is no expectation—we just want people to come out, get warm, connect and have some fun.”

For more information about Lunch Is On Us, visit www.sirch.on.ca/lunchisonus or phone 705-457-1742.

SIRCH’s Lunch Is On Us program does not receive funding support from any level of government. SIRCH’s annual fundraising campaign, Gifts from the Heart, is currently underway and is an opportunity for you to support SIRCH programs including Lunch Is On Us. Visit www.sirch.on.ca/gifts to contribute.

So come and join us—for 16 winter weeks, Lunch Is On Us!

an unwavering belief in people and possibilities