Students at St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School kicked-off the school year with a little fun and charity.
The Brampton high school’s student council organized a barbecue that included some carnival-like entertainment to greet students for the beginning of another school year and encourage donations for a local food bank.
Held during lunch periods, students were able to enjoy food from the grill for a toonie and the donation of two canned food items or $3.
The donation of one non-perishable food item also allowed students to treat their taste buds to some cotton candy or try their aim at a pie throwing booth.
Donations and money raised at the first annual Start of the Year Charity Barbecue are going to the Knights Table in Brampton. The local organization helps provide food and assistance to Peel region residents dealing with daily issues related to hunger, poverty and homelessness.
In addition to the money and food raised at the recent school event, student council is also donating money raised from student donations of $1 each for school “Dress Down Day,” said Student Council Member Samuel Battista. In total, the students will be donating $2,000 to the Knights Table, he announced.
Original Article: http://www.bramptonguardian.com/community/education/article/1110514–students-mix-fun-and-charity
Three provincial election candidates slept outside in the rain on Monday night to experience — albeit for only 10 hours — what it’s like to be homeless.
With only sleeping bags and the clothes on their back, Mississauga-Erindale NDP hopeful Michelle Bilek, Dalbir Kathuria (Brampton West NDP) and Patti Chmelyk (Brampton West Green Party) spent the night (from about 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.) in Duggan Park in Brampton.
They were the only candidates in Peel’s nine ridings to accept the challenge from Peel Poverty Action Group (PPAG) to see what it’s like to be homeless for one night.
The trio was joined by Daniel Cullen, a volunteer with the Brampton Neighbourhood Resource Centre who guided them and talked to them about what it’s like to be on the streets. Cullen, who was homeless for 25 years, showed the candidates places frequented by the homeless, including the wooded area where they spent the night.
Bilek, who shared her experience via Twitter, told The News they met a few homeless people during the night. She said it reminded her of a period in her life when she lived in a car.
Bilek said it’s still difficult to talk about how, for several months while she was a university student, she slept in her car and relied on friends and family to help her while she tried to keep up with her studies.
Of Monday night’s experience, Bilek said: “It was cold and there was a little bit of fear of what was going to happen, if we were safe, but we felt the camaraderie of being together and we knew that by doing this it would bring awareness to the issue of poverty, and homelessness is at the core of it.”
She added that herself, the other two candidates and Cullen spent most of the night talking about ways to eradicate homelessness.
Although she woke up cold, sore and barely rested, Bilek said it was one of the greatest, and most eye-opening, experiences of her life.
Unfortunately, she noted, things haven’t gotten any better for people in recent years.
“Your pay cheque is not going very far and the cost of living is going up,” she said. “We’re at a critical time here in Ontario where we have to make a move to adjust and put people first and give them the support systems they need. When you’re worrying about your bills all the time, you really can’t live.”
PPAG officials say about 1,000 people a month use homeless shelters in Peel. Furthermore, some 15,500 families are on a waiting list for homes they can afford — and they’ll be waiting for as long as 20 years.
Original article: http://www.mississauga.com/news/article/1109191–candidates-go-homeless-for-a-night
It’s been more than 20 years for the Knights Table in Brampton. And, those involved work diligently to gather additional support in their mission to alleviate the poverty in Peel Region. Acknowledged as the team that provides services to individuals and families that are impacted by hunger, poverty and homelessness, the group has continued that tradition of helping those in need. On August 12th, they held their 4th Annual Fundraising BBQ & Car wash event. In helping those in need of life necessities, those who attended the event donated a minimum of $5 or 5 cans of non perishable food items to KT’s food bank in exchange for a great car wash and barbeque meal. Community volunteers and staff members did their part by rolling up their sleeves to either wash down the cars, prepare the food or give a little historical background on the group itself. Along with the fundraising car wash and BBQ, kids and family members were able to take part in some friendly activities, raffle draws and take home generous giveaways. To become a volunteer or to donate and help their cause you can visit the organization at: http://www.knightstable.org/
Original article: http://www.snapbram.com/?option=com_sngevents&id[0]=302027&utm_source=email&utm_medium=snapd
Knights Table from Train of Thought Productions on Vimeo.
Watch our new video about how the Knights Table works, who we help and how you can get involved.
We are grateful to all of the people and families that opened up their personal lives to help us convey the story of hunger in Peel and the many different situations that may cause someone to seek the assistance of the Knights Table.
Special thanks to all our donors and volunteers!
Special thanks to TOT for producing the video.
