A massive food drive in Chatham-Kent held earlier this year is sparking another initiative to help residents have access to healthy food.
The May 16th Miracle collected approximately 678,200 pounds of non-perishable items for food banks across Chatham-Kent as a way of helping people during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also had a ripple effect in inspiring similar events in neighbouring areas of Windsor and Essex County.
Now, several organizations and volunteers in Chatham-Kent are coming together again for a long-term initiative called the Mobile Miracle Market. The mobile market will travel to areas of Chatham-Kent, three days a week, to offer locally sourced produce boxes for residents to pick up.
"We're building off the tremendous success of the May 16th Miracle and we're trying to keep that going," said Phillip Mock, project coordinator for the CK Prosperity Roundtable. "We know people in this community are caring and compassionate people."
The Prosperity Roundtable has partnered with The Miracle Project Team, CK Public Health Unit, TekSavvy, and the Wheatley Area Food Bank to launch the mobile market, starting on September 15.
"We know that people are struggling financially in this community and we know that fresh, healthy, local produce is really important to people to keep healthy during this time," said Mock.
Produce boxes cost $15 each but if someone cannot afford that, the Mobile Miracle Market will use a "pay it forward" model that offers different options.
"Anyone can come and grab a box -- no questions asked, it doesn't matter what level of income you have," said Mock. "If you would like, you also have the option to give a box and you can donate any amount [of money] you would like. That donation goes toward another box for someone else."
Mock said for residents who don't want a produce box but want to help, there is also the option to donate money online. Community partners can also donate produce. Organizers are in the process of connecting with farmers, community gardens, and greenhouse operators to see if they are able to help with the initiative.
However, Mock said the project does have some seed funding that will help them get started until details are finalized with local producers. The Mobile Miracle Market project received roughly $25,000 from the United Way of Chatham-Kent and the Chatham-Kent Community Foundation through the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund.
"At this time, we don't have any concerns about being sustainable and we're hoping to work with local partners as well to maintain that seed funding to keep this project sustainable and moving forward," he said. "Our hope is [that] through building connections with local growers and through community groups and donations, we're going to be able to replenish those boxes instead of having to purchase."
The Mobile Miracle Market will operate Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays come mid-September.
Mock said specific locations have yet to be determined but will be updated on their website and social media pages by the end of next week. Residents who would like to receive or purchase a produce box but are unable to leave their home, are encouraged to contact the Mobile Miracle Market. Mock said volunteers will deliver the boxes to those specified residents.
Several volunteers have already stepped forward to help with the project but Mock said more is always needed. Volunteers can help by harvesting produce, packaging and handing out boxes, and spreading the word about the program through multiple platforms.
Contact information and further details about volunteering or market locations can be found on the Mobile Miracle Market website.