Even though this year's Windsor Goodfellows paper drive fell short of its $375,000 goal, President Brian Beaumont expressed his gratitude to all who donated last month.
The paper drive in Windsor, LaSalle, and Tecumseh raised more than $366,000, and Beaumont said that would go a long way to support the many programs at Windsor Goodfellows through the rest of the year.
"Last year, we had to make some minor cuts because we had a very large deficit," said Beaumont. "We're looking at another deficit this year, but not as big, so we're hoping we won't have to make any more adjustments to our programs, but if we do, they'll be minor."
Those programs include the Christmas hamper program, the weekly food bank, a boot and shoe program for school-aged children, a school breakfast and food program at 27 local schools, and a lunch bag program for those experiencing homelessness. Ninety-five per cent of proceeds raised during the paper drive and its ongoing mail-in campaign goes to those programs.
Demand for those programs rose 51 per cent last year and is expected to increase in 2025.
Beaumont said donations to the mail-in campaign have fallen precipitously during the Canada Post strike, now into its fourth week, but there are other ways to donate. He suggested dropping your envelope off at the Windsor Goodfellow office at 401 Park Street West or going online to www.windsorgoodfellows.org.