Our Kids Count – The Power of Connection
There are many things that can help build connections in a community. It can be built by a desire to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance, through open communication, a desire to improve and grow, and by having a shared space where people can have their needs met. Our Kids Count believes in the power of connection, and as a local non-profit organization, we live and breath it every day. One thing that always brings people together is food — food is safety and home. It is comfort and a basic need, and yet so many in our community suffer with food insecurity. The current rising food costs has made it more and more difficult for individuals to feed themselves and their families with foods that are nutritious and filling. This impacts the quality of life for so many in our community. That is why food is at the centre of so many of our programs at Our Kids Count, because connection is made easier when basic needs, like access to food, are met.
Empower the North understands the commitment to connection, and understands that we live in a community where difficult choices by individuals and families are made everyday. They chose to help empower organizations and individuals, and as a winner of #3ThingsforTbay, we were committed to taking the prize and helping families to live their best lives through our mission of “Real help, right here, right now… for families that need it most”. So, the funds were used to help as many families as possible, and went to addressing food insecurity issues.
Every Thursday, Our Kids Count opens our doors at our McKenzie and Windsor locations, and gives families an opportunity to get enough food for their family for 2-3 days. Families and individuals can access this once a month, easing the burden of food costs. During the pandemic, needs for food were high, but as we leave the pandemic behind, we are seeing even more need than before. Making connections is often done by celebrating the little things, so we made sure that every dollar we received from #3ThingsforTbay went back into the community so that families could enjoy healthy meals and focus on each other, and the connections they are making, rather than on how they are going to get by.
Thank you, Empower the North, for helping us help the community around us, for helping families to connect, and for understanding that only through connection can real change happen.
For more info on Our Kids Count, please visit: https://www.ourkidscount.ca/
