Local organizations that assist low-income seniors and people with disabilities were ecstatic to learn the government was extending funding for the Ontario Community Support Program until 2022.
The program assists local organizations like the VON in Windsor-Essex to deliver groceries, meals, and other services to their growing client base.
“Thanks to the funding and our VON Community Board we will have invested over $84,250 to deliver free and subsidized meals to vulnerable seniors and those in need in Windsor Essex since the beginning of COVID,” said Nicole Hunter Care and Service Manager Home and Community Care at the VON.
Demand for the local Meals on Wheels program has grown nearly 75 per cent since the pandemic hit last March. At one time VON served around 800 meals a week, it now serves around 1,400 meals a week with the help of the Unemployed Help Centre, Community Living Windsor, Life After 50, The Women’s Shelter, and Family Respite Services.
“Our efforts to assist the vulnerable residents to remain in their homes in safety throughout the pandemic has led us to not only the food box program and also the boxes of essential items, but the grocery program also grew out of the pandemic. We are finding the need in the community was that seniors and vulnerable people and those with disabilities couldn’t get out to get their groceries so we started a volunteer grocery program,” said Hunter.
The OCSP operates in communities across the province by matching volunteer services with seniors, people with disabilities and other vulnerable Ontarians through an online registration system. This week the government announced the funding for the program would continue until March 2022.
Locally OCSP also supports St. Andrew's Residence, the Community Support Centre of Essex County, and the South Essex Community Council.
