A WAES Update

WAES has continued to operate and serve the community of Weston despite the challenges of COVID-19.  Earlier this May Diana Stapleton (WAES Board Chair) updated us with how they are doing.

• Each day we have a great team of volunteers that are now familiar with how things are done and they really work hard!
• So far this month we have served 353 households for a total of 1,035 people.  That means we are up 120% versus last May. 
• Margaret continues to field lots of calls for WAES.  She is making 40 appointments (the max we can take) each day we are open.  This means she fields the calls, takes names and other information required, and gives each person a timeslot.  People who are not from our area are redirected to North York Harvest.  Margaret has had calls from as far away as Don Mills and Vaughan.
• We will continue to be open every week, at least until the end of June.  We will decide in June how we will work the summer, but for sure we are going to be open both Tuesdays and Fridays in July and August.
• We have received unprecedented support from the community and beyond.  Many very generous donations have come in by cheque and through CanadaHelps online.  We have also received a two shipments of chicken and hamburger meat from the Muslim Women of York Region.  The first shipment was just over 200 pounds, and this week they brought another 250 pounds.  They are planning to continue these donations into the future.  This is amazing as we were struggling to access chicken as our usual contact at No Frills was unable to supply us.
• We have also started to provide hampers to vulnerable seniors in Eagle Manor.  Thursday was our second delivery of 10 hampers to individuals who requested help.  We pack the food, a person from Shakespeare in Action picks up the boxes and delivers to Eagle Manor.  Then a couple of people that work in the building deliver the hampers.  So far people seem to be very happy.
• We are also receiving pre-made meals (single packs) from Frontlines.  They are making over 1,000 meals a week, and WAES will be receiving 100 each week.  They are picked up on Tuesday around noon, and put into the freezer.  Some will go the seniors and the rest will be distributed to those coming to WAES. 

WAES is Weston area's local food bank.  Weston Park has been a contributing church ever since its inception.  Until recently, WAES was located in the rear part of our Frontlines building.