Community

The Niagara Greek Festival is proud to continue in our tradition of support for Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold.

We ask that guests of the Niagara Greek Festival bring a non-perishable food item to donate to this worthy cause.  Cash donations will also be accepted at stations located on site during the Niagara Greek Festival.

Non-Perishable Food Items: Canned Pasta – Tuna – Canned Vegetables – Peanut Butter – Canned Fruit – Protein Items – Granola Bars – Fresh Garden Vegetables – Canned Meat – Pudding/Jello Cups – Chicken Noodle Soup – Canned Tomatoes – Canned Stew – Cereal – Jam – Noodles and Sauce

The Greek Community of Niagara will also be donating:

• 200 “GREEKFEST FUNPACKS” filled with food, beverage and Kidz Zone vouchers for children and their caregivers with Family and Children’s Services Niagara.
• 100 “GREEKFEST FUNPACKS” filled with food, beverage and Kidz Zone vouchers for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara.

The donation of these “GREEKFEST FUNPACKS” provides a cultural experience to a child and/or family that might not otherwise be able to attend.

About Community Care

• Community Care supported 2,451 children in the month of July 2023
• The need in our community continues to increase – in the first quarter of 2023, our numbers had doubled when compared to 2022
• Food is distributed on a bi-monthly basis, however, no request is denied and emergency bags are provided as needed.

VISION: OUR VISION IS FOR A HEALTHY, CARING COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE LIVES WITH DIGNITY AND PURPOSE.

Food Security

Food Bank: Through our St. Catharines and Thorold locations we acquire and distribute food to individuals and families facing hardships in St. Catharines and Thorold. Every client served by Community Care must be assessed for need according to LICO Poverty Lines (Low Income Cut Off). Once registered, clients may access food, clothing and household goods every other month or six times per year, however, no emergency is denied.

Community Gardens: Thirty garden plots located at Torosian Park in St. Catharines are supported in partnership with Niagara Regional Housing and the City of St. Catharines. Clients have the ability, and support, to grow their own produce.

Additional Programs

Medical/Dental/Vision Care:  Limited basic assistance is provided in partnership with community practitioners.

Clothing & Household Goods:  Gently used clothing and small household goods are distributed on a bimonthly basis to registered clients.  Referrals to access larger furnishings are available. Click here for information about the Thorold Thrift Shoppe.

ID: Niagara for Access and Identification (NAID) Assists with applications & replacement of vital certificates.

Layette Program: Layettes contain hand crafted items donated by various faith groups in our community along with supplies and toiletries for new babies.

Snacks & Sneakers Program: Community Care acquires and distributes back to school supplies including new sneakers, healthy snacks, back packs and, or school supplies.

Birthday Program:  The parents or guardians of registered children have access to an age appropriate birthday gift card with the help of community partners.

Christmas: Community Care acquires and distributes food vouchers to over 3000 individuals and families as well as toys and age appropriate gifts to children, teens and seniors with the help of community partners.

Jumpstart: Financial support to children, who would otherwise be denied the opportunity to participate in recreational activities, is provided through the Canadian Tire JumpStart Program.

Income Tax Clinics:  Income tax clinics to low income persons are supported by trained income tax volunteers.

Niagara Nutrition Partners: Niagara Nutrition Partners supports student nutrition programs at both elementary and secondary schools throughout the Niagara region. Volunteers and staff distribute snacks, breakfast or lunch to 13,000 students each school day.