COVID-19

Are you worried about food?

Do you sometimes wonder how you’ll put food on the table for you and your family?  Are you concerned about the upcoming fall and winter?

SIRCH Community Services is looking to the community to help them assess the need for food in general and SIRCH’s frozen meals specifically.  While requests for the meals have increased dramatically, SIRCH isn’t sure it’s all COVID related.

We are connecting with local food banks, community organizations, and residents to collect information and experiences on the impact of the pandemic as it relates to their ability to purchase nutritious food. We’re also asking some additional questions to try to gather information that might be helpful in creating solutions to food insecurity in our county. Already we have made valuable and meaningful connections in the community, and the research being done will have a greater impact on Haliburton County.

SIRCH appreciates and values everybody who takes the time to complete the survey and share their story. This information is highly valuable and will help shape their outreach programs going forward. 


A COVID Update from SIRCH Community Services — May

Covid-19 has affected us all.  But the effects of the pandemic on some residents of Haliburton County have been harder than on others. Seniors make up 32% of our population. 30% of families are led by single parents. Haliburton County has a 23% child poverty rate. These residents are extra vulnerable and need help.

So what is SIRCH doing?

Haliburton’s own Rowan Tofflemire gives us a firsthand look at how SIRCH Community Services has responded to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nutritious Food

Since April 2020 we have provided over 26,000 free nutritious meals plus thousands of soups and servings of fruit to people in need! Our frozen meal program continues today and we provide them to low-income seniors and family housing units in Minden, Haliburton and Wilberforce, to HHHS, and other organizations, and to food banks for distribution to the community.

Prepared meals are essential for those who are elderly, ill, lacking resources, experiencing depression/anxiety, self-isolating or homeless.  The meals are free and available to anyone.

With the help of Lakeside Baptist Church, we were also able to give additional fruit (sauces, crisps) with every meal. 

“They’re telling the public to have a 2 week supply of food. OMG how? I skip breakfast and lunch so my kids will be fed. My landlord told me about the SIRCH meals – they have made all the difference to us.”  

“I was self-isolating and feeling very lonely.  My neighbour brought me some meals from SIRCH.  It was the bright spot in my day!”

Fabric Masks

Over the past few months people donated over 1,200 cloth masks they had lovingly made. SIRCH Partnered with Haliburton Highlands Health Services who sanitized them, kept some for their front line staff, and the rest we distributed to various agencies and residents throughout our community. A huge thank you to all who took the time to make these masks and for HHHS for working with us on this project.

Program Closures

We have paused Repair Café until Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

Please keep up to date by following us on Facebook and Instagram.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

All SIRCH programs are made possible by generous donations from our community and beyond. Donations can be made to SIRCH Community Services in several ways:

  • VISA or Master Card – give monthly or one-time. Call in with your card: 705-457-1742 
  • Online (go to our website www.sirch.on.ca
  • Via e-transfer ([email protected] – send password in a separate email) 
  • By cheque.  Drop off or mail to SIRCH Community Services, Box 687, 49 Maple Ave, Haliburton, ON K0M 1S0
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