Lisa’s Bagged Brunch Program expands efforts to help those in need in Brockville area
Lyn resident Lisa Harkness, an employee at Wall Street Church, has long had a passion for helping those less fortunate in the community in whatever way she can. Now, she’s undertaking a new large-scale charitable project. On Monday, Aug. 19, Harkness unveiled the new name for her latest community endeavour: Lisa’s Bagged Brunch Program.
About a year ago, staff at the Chit Chat Convenience Store in Lyn were lamenting to Harkness about what a waste it is to throw out their unsold pizza at the end of the day. Harkness suggested that she could collect the leftover pizza and then donate it to Change Health Care, The Cooperative Care Centre, and other people in need in Brockville.
It became apparent after this first pizza delivery how much people appreciated the pizza and the arrangement between Harkness and her local convenience store became a weekly thing. On one visit several weeks ago to Change Health Care, an addiction treatment clinic in Brockville, staff told Harkness that they did not have any other food to offer their clients that day.
“Depending on the day they may have absolutely nothing, not even a bottle of water. On that day, it was one of those 100-degree days with humidity and I knew I couldn’t just ignore that,” Harkness told Brockvilleist.
Harkness immediately went to the store to pick up some basic necessities and brought the groceries back to the clinic, where staff later told her it was all gone within an hour. With a new sense of motivation, Harkness decided to reach out to Tait’s Fresh Start Bakery to see if they would be interested in donating a few loaves of bread for the hungry. With the bakery’s generous contributions, Lisa knew she could put together some simple bagged lunches to help fill this void. Every Thursday and Sunday, the bakery now gives Harkness dozens of their remaining bread loaves, buns, baked goods and more for her to use in her new program.
On Monday, Aug. 12, Harkness delivered 36 meals (including salads and desserts from Tait’s Bakery) to Change Health Care. The following Monday, Aug. 19, Harkness set her sights even higher with the help of community donations and was able to donate almost 70 bagged brunch meals. This time the bags included extra snacks, hygiene products, sleeping bags, coffee makers, and even a few mats that are homemade for the homeless by Tina Vanderlinden.
“I am still bringing the brunches but now it’s turned into realizing all the other stuff they need like socks and hygiene products, everything you could possibly think of,” Harkness explained.
For an added personal touch, Harkness placed a personally written note inside each bag.
“I was in there one day and I heard one girl tell another girl that nobody loves her and her family won’t talk to her and it broke my heart. So I decided to write a little note with a positive message to put in each bag. I can’t get all these people housed, that’s not my area of expertise, but I want to at least make sure they’re not hungry.”
The increased quantity and quality of deliveries is all thanks to the outpouring of support Harkness has received from friends, neighbours, and even strangers. She has been taking to social media to publicly thank those in the community who have contributed by donating items or money to her project. “I’m just one person but there are a lot of people helping me now so it’s not just me anymore. Every day I’ve got more stuff at my door and more people reaching out,” shared Harkness.
Until now, the largest obstacle that Harkness faced was having nowhere to store all of the food needed for these brunches. Luckily, fellow Brockvillian Jamie Louwerse offered his deep freezer to allow Harkness to continue expanding her program.
For those wishing to donate to Lisa’s Bagged Brunch Program, she has provided a list of food and hygiene items that are most needed. The following are some of those suggestions:
- Cases of bottled water
- Ensure or Boost drinks
- Gatorade, Powerade or Vitamin Water
- Juice boxes
- Large jars of unsweetened or sweetened applesauce
- Nutri Grain bars or granola bars
- Plastic or Ziploc baggies
- Peanut Butter and jam
- Napkins & paper towels
- Tinfoil or plastic wrap
- Plastic utensils
- Toothbrushes, floss & toothpaste.
- Dog food, dog toys and other items for pets
For those who would like to contribute to Lisa’s Bagged Brunch Program, there are a number of options. Donated items or cash donations can be dropped off in person from Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at Severson Cleaners at 68 William Street Unit 2. Harkness advised those who are not mobile or cannot travel to Brockville but would still like to donate financially can send e-transfers directly to her at lr.harkness@cogeco.ca. Harkness reiterates that “the spirit of transparency is my motto,” and receipts from purchases will be provided to those who donate.
To help reach more people, Harkness has created a Facebook group and is asking those wishing to get involved and learn more to join the group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/848143257410166