Caledon Community Services receives funds for new freezer at Exchange

By KATHRYN FRASER

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Caledon Community Services has recently received funding from the Brampton and Caledon Services to further serve the community. 

The organization has used the grant to expand their freezer space for CCS' Exchange Food Bank.

As there are many items that need to be properly refrigerated for those coming to the food bank, it is important for CCS to have the proper equipment to store items. 

Donna Cragg, Director of Communications and Marketing for CCS, says that the number of people coming to get donations from the food bank has grown heavily over the years. 

“We applied for this grant because we needed to increase our freezer space at the exchange, because having freezers is what allows us to provide our clients with things like meat and other item that if you didn't have any sort of the freezer space, that would become a little bit less feasible. We like to make sure we're providing the most, freshest and most nutritious foods to the clients,” says Cragg.

The application for the funding was completed in June and after six to eight weeks, CCS was provided with the funds and were able to expand their freezer space. 

Since the organization started in 1971, storage space, and the items that have been stored, have changed and grown. 

They started out with a small 8 by 10 room at the former location on 18 King before opening the Exchange and being able to serve the needs of the community better. 

The Exchange is now seen as a community hub model and has been recognized both provincially and federally. 

“We have a community kitchen there and we have a lounge space, and we provide computer resources to people looking for jobs. It was a totally new model that recognized a huge part of what people in a position to benefit from food support really could use,” says Cragg. “We've been operating the Exchange since 2013 and around 2016 or 2017 we were told that the 11,000th person had come through the door. It's something that as an employee at CCS or a staff member you're very proud to take people and show you the space and how it operates”. 

In addition to the Food Bank, there are a number of other services offered at the Exchange. 

“We have over 17 services we provide in the Caledon community. We have transportation for seniors, accessible transportation. We have newcomer services, employment services, employment for youth, the Exchange, [and] the thrift store for affordable shopping and to keep stuff out of landfill,” says Cragg. “One of our largest challenges is we try to create that wraparound care, as anyone can come in our door and they may come in because they want food support, but then you find out that they could support other basic needs or subsidies or employment assistance. You can find out what they need when they walk in the door, and you can help them in various ways.” 

For those looking to find more information about the services and ways to donate at CCS, visit ccs4u.org.