OSHaRE is preparing some holiday feasts for residents going into the Christmas season, and is collecting donations.
Executive Director Colleen Trask Seaman says, they will be operating on their normal hours throughout the holiday season with some special meals planned for visitors.
Seaman says they will be holding their Christmas OSHaRE on Dec. 23, offering a full course meal for their guests. The next day on Dec. 24, OSHaRE will be hosting a Christmas Eve lunch, ending off on Dec. 25 with a full course turkey dinner.
“OSHaRE has definitely seen an increase in demand. Since the pandemic we have served around 9,000 meals a month, but since August we have seen the number growing up to 10,000 meals, 11,000 in September, and the number continues to stay that high, so we definitely are anticipating to have a high demand over the Christmas season,” says Seaman.
Seaman also adds they are currently collecting hats, mitts and personal care items, as on Dec. 23, they hand out a stocking to their guests filled with those personal care items they need, as well as a personal Christmas card.
OSHaRE has also established a new endowment fund, and it is now open to receive financial support to assist feeding residents in the community.
Earlier this year, OSHaRE’s board of directors set up the Colleen Trask Seaman Share with OSHaRE Endowed Fund, with the Community Foundation Grey Bruce.
The fund was named after the leadership and dedication shown by Seaman, according to board of director member Pat McDonough.
McDonough says about two years ago they identified the need to start planning for the long term future, and by partnering up with the Community Foundation, they established an endowed fund that would provide operating funds for OSHaRE.
“That idea sat on the back burner for a couple of years and then this year we were fortunate enough to have an exceptional contribution by the community and individuals to our fund raising walk, and it gave us enough money that we could do an initial gift to start that fund off,” says McDonough. “We were able to put $50,000 to start the endowed fund, so it has got a good, healthy kick start and we are hoping during the Christmas season this year and the years to come, that people remember they can not only support OSHaRE on a day-to-day basis, but they can help us put money for the future.”
McDonough says the long term goal, would be to eventually have enough to cover their monthly rent through the interest earned from the fund.
Anyone looking to make a donation to the fund can visit the Community Foundation Grey Bruce website, and those looking to drop off any personal care items or perishable foods can do so at the OSHaRE building.