By Laura Steiner, Milton Reporter, Local Journalism Initiative, The Milton Reporter
The Milton Chapter of 100 Women Who care made a donation to Milton Meals On Wheels at their meeting July 10 2024. The meeting was the group’s 29th since 2017.
The idea of 100 Women Who Care was first started in Michigan, in 2006 by a woman named Karen Dunigan. The Milton Ontario chapter began meeting in 2017. The concept was simple; gather together 100 community-minded women at quarterly meetings, and ask them to donate a $100 to charity. Any member of the group can nominate a deserving charity, and three are invited to give a five-minute presentation at their meetings. The membership votes, and the charity with the most votes gets the donation.
Last meeting’s winner Shifra Homes, a maternity residence, and shelter was awarded $7,500. Executive Director Nancy Romnic took the opportunity to let attendees know, the donation would be going to groceries. “What I want to make sure is I am providing these women with all the proper nutrition, and that they’re learning what healthy food is; that they’re going to take what they’ve learned, and pass it on to their little children,” she said.
The three presentations for this session came from Community Development Halton, Special Employment Services for STRIDE, and the winner Milton Meals on Wheels, who’s Executive Director Sherry Parkinson spoke on behalf of the program, run mostly by volunteers. “It’s really a group of passionate individuals who are thoroughly committed,” she described. The program is operated out of the kitchens at Allendale.
One of the biggest challenges was operating through COVID, but they didn’t miss a meal. Their biggest challenge right now are their clients’ financial needs. “Milton is no different than the rest of Canada. Skyrocketing food prices have really had a devastating impact on many,” Parkinson said. Over COVID, they were able to start a small subsidy program thanks to grants, and donations. “Our funding issues have not changed. “We still have people in need, and more are reaching out every day,” she added.
Parkinson continued to summarize, saying she finds the meals are secondary provided by the volunteer drivers. “The volunteer goes there every day with a friendly face. They say hello, and they make sure all is well. And they just happen to have a hot meal with them.” Members had 24 hours to vote for their choice, and decided to donate the money to Milton Meals on Wheels. For more information visit Milton Meals’ on Wheels’ website. To Learn more about 100 Women Who Care Milton on their Facebook page
