In celebration of March for Meals, the Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) is raising awareness of the critical role meal delivery programs play in combating food insecurity among seniors. Throughout the month of March, local organizations across Ontario are highlighting the need for community support and funding for these essential services.
In Renfrew County, Carefor Health & Community Services operates a meal delivery program that provides nutritious meals to seniors, helping to reduce food insecurity and support the health and well-being of older adults in the region. The campaign’s goal is to recruit drivers and raise funds to improve seniors’ access to meals and to subsidize some of the cost to those who might not be able to afford it.
Food insecurity is a pressing issue for many in Renfrew County. Recent statistics show that approximately one in four families in the region experience food insecurity, with the rising cost of food and accommodation being key contributing factors. An additional burden for many seniors is the lack of accessible transportation and having to live on a fixed income. As a result, many seniors find themselves relying on inexpensive, but unhealthy food options, which can lead to poor nutrition and health problems.
The goal of the March for Meals campaign is to raise critical funds to support meal delivery programs like the one offered by Carefor Health & Community Services. These funds help ensure that seniors have access to the nutritious meals they need to stay healthy and independent.
“This campaign is about more than just providing food — it’s about helping seniors maintain their health and independence,” said Janna Wood, program coordinator for Carefor Health & Community Services. “By raising awareness and funds, we can make a real difference in the lives of seniors in our community.”
For more information on how to support the March for Meals campaign or to donate to the program, residents are encouraged to visit Carefor Health & Community Services’ website, www.carefor.ca or call 613-749-7557 ext 2298. For information on joining Carefor’s transportation team, contact Janna Wood at jwood@carefor.ca
In celebration of March for Meals, the Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) is raising awareness of the important role meal delivery programs play in fighting food insecurity among seniors. Local organizations across Ontario, including Carefor Health & Community Services in Renfrew County, are focusing on the need for community support and funding for these services.
Food insecurity is a growing issue in Renfrew County, with one in four families facing challenges. Seniors, in particular, struggle due to fixed incomes and limited access to transportation. Carefor’s meal delivery program helps address this by providing nutritious, locally sourced meals to seniors. Meals are prepared by Griffith Farm using pasture-raised beef and free-run chickens.
Ernest Boutilier, a local widower, shared how the program helped him after his wife’s passing when he was eating unhealthy meals like hot dogs and bologna. “I started gaining too much weight, and I was concerned about my nutrition,” he said.
The March for Meals campaign aims to raise funds to support programs like Carefor’s, ensuring that seniors have access to healthy meals. Janna Wood, program coordinator, said, “This campaign is about more than just providing food – it’s about helping seniors maintain their health and independence.”
To donate or support the campaign, visit www.carefor.ca or call 613-749-7557 ext 2298. Volunteers interested in helping with transportation can contact Janna Wood at jwood@carefor.ca.
At just 28 years old, Brie-Anne has faced challenges that many would struggle to imagine. Diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in March 2024, her journey has been shaped by resilience, family, and community. One place that has made a profound difference in her life is the Palliative Day Away program at Carefor Hospice Cornwall.
After years of advocacy for her health in Sudbury had been dismissed, upon arriving in Cornwall, she received urgent diagnostic care. Her diagnosis confirmed the cancer had metastasized to her bones, impacting her spine and liver.
In April 2024, shortly after meeting her palliative care doctor, Brie-Anne was introduced to the Carefor’s Hospice’s Palliative Day Away Program. Despite her initial hesitation, rooted in her social anxiety, she found the experience transformative.
“I’m not a super social person,” Brie-Anne admitted. “But once I got here, sat down, and got to know the people, it became something I look forward to every week.”
The program offers more than just a space to gather; it provides a lifeline. Participants engage in crafts, games, and outings, fostering a sense of camaraderie and understanding. Brie-Anne, an avid crafter, contributes crocheted plush toys for donations and delights in the group’s welcoming atmosphere.
“Everyone here is amazing — so kind and caring. It’s nice to be with people who truly understand what you’re going through,” she said.
The program supports participants emotionally, helping them navigate the complexities of living with a terminal illness. For Brie-Anne, it has been a key factor in managing depression and maintaining a routine.
“Without this program, I’d struggle a lot more. It keeps me grounded and gives me something to look forward to,” she shared.
As she continues treatments and adjusts to life with cancer, Brie-Anne remains grateful for the hospice, her supportive family, and the community she has found. Her journey highlights the importance of compassionate care, not just for the body but for the spirit.
“This program has truly helped me stay present,” she said. “It’s not just about living with cancer –it’s about living.”
Carefor Hospice Cornwall offers community-based programs that support people dealing with end-of-life issues. These programs include the Palliative Day Away Program, Caregiver Support Groups, and Volunteer Visiting. For more information, call 613-938-2763.
Following a Valentine’s Day gala, Country Kitchen restaurant and catering service and Seaway Valley Entertainment teamed up to offer a bit of love to Carefor Hospice Cornwall.
Ghislain Mayer and Emily Mayer presented a cheque to the not-profit agency on Tuesday.
“We wanted to fundraise, but we wanted to keep it local,” said Country Kitchen owner Ghislain Mayer. “We’re hoping this will be an annual event for years to come.”
The gala included an eight-course meal with tickets going for $75 each. Seaway Valley Entertainment helped provide the show for the evening, with performances from an Elvis and Tina Turner impersonator.
“These are really great community-based events,” said fundraising manager for Carefor Hospice Cornwall, Wendy Knechtel. “When people do community-based events it helps the rest of the community understand what hospice is for and all the services we provide. Hopefully it encourages other members of the community to support hospice.”
Hospice Cornwall relies on community donations to help fund renovations and to purchase new equipment. Most recently, it’s invested in cuddle beds, which is a larger hospital-style bed allowing family members and loves ones to be physically and comfortably closer together.
While this event, and similar community-based events are spearheaded by community members or groups, such as the Legion or the Seaway Valley Riders, Hospice Cornwall’s main annual fundraiser, Hike for Hospice, is set to take place on May 4. Community members can sign up here. The Hike for Hospice raised $30,000 last year.
Love and generosity filled Nativity Hall on Friday, February 14, as the first-ever Valentine’s Gala for Hospice brought the community together in support of Carefor Hospice Cornwall. The sold-out event, organized by Seaway Valley Entertainment, Country Catering, and The Fab Event Co., featured an elegant eight-course meal, live entertainment, a silent auction, raffles, and a memory wall to honour loved ones.
Jacqueline LaFave of Seaway Valley Entertainment, one of the event’s co-organizers, emphasized the personal significance of the fundraiser.
“Everything raised here tonight is going to hospice,” she said. “Valentine’s Day felt like the perfect time to hold this event. Many of us have lost family members who couldn’t be here today, and this is a way to honour them while supporting a great cause.”
LaFave shared a deeply personal connection to hospice care, recalling the compassionate support her best friend received during her battle with breast cancer.
“When she needed them, hospice was right there. They honoured everything she wanted and ensured she had a dignified passing. They are truly fantastic.”
The eight-course meal included a soup course, charcuterie, puff pastry, pasta, and a main dish, followed by a sorbet cleanse and dessert. Live performers surprised guests throughout the evening, culminating in a DJ-led dance.
According to Angela Labelle, Hospice Manager at Carefor Hospice Cornwall, the gala was a unique way to engage the community.
“I think this is a great idea, especially on Valentine’s Day,” Labelle said. “It’s a way for people to get out, support hospice, and experience something different.”
She highlighted the importance of hospice services beyond inpatient care.
“Hospice isn’t just a facility—it’s a service. We provide community support, caregiver assistance, and bereavement services. We’re there for families before, during, and after their loss.”
With an overwhelming response, organizers are already looking ahead to next year.
“We sold more tickets than expected,” LaFave said. “Based on the turnout and enthusiasm, we’re planning to go even bigger next year.”
"*" indicates required fields