RELEASE: Port Cares Holiday 50/50 Kicks Off November 20th 2024!
Proceeds to fund the Reach Out Centre Food Bank
(November 19, 2024 - PORT COLBORNE) Port Cares will kick off its 2024 Holiday 5050 lottery on Wednesday, November 20th at 12:01 a.m. to raise money for its Reach Out Centre Food Bank assisting local low income residents with food and other basic needs.
Port Cares has come to rely on its 50 50 lottery as a critical money maker with every dollar raised turned back into services and supports for those who do not have enough to make ends meet.
“More young working families with children and seniors are coming to the food bank and or using our meal programs simply because they cannot make ends meet,” explains Christine Clark Lafleur, Chief Executive Officer of Port Cares. “The high cost of housing and food inflation have made it harder and harder for households to get by and we are not seeing any relief in sight.”
Port Cares is a robust community social service hub providing across section of services all aimed and improving quality of life and opportunity for individuals and families. The agency’s poverty relief services and programs like its food bank and meal programs are charity-funded relying on fundraising and donations. ”While we provide groceries and hot meals as South Niagara’s largest food bank, we also provide homelessness prevention services, crisis intervention and as well as other basic needs along with child development, literacy, skills training and employment services,” adds Clark Lafleur. Later this winter the agency will open a new affordable housing development featuring 41 rental units for low income seniors and single parent families.
While the price of everything else seems to have gone up Port Cares is happy that tickets for the 50 50 remain the same great price at five tickets for $10, 20 for $20 or 100 for $40. Tickets can be purchased online with a credit card at www.portcares5050.ca or in person with cash, credit or debit at Port Cares 92 Charlotte location Monday to Friday 8:30 to 4:30. Ticket purchasers before December 13th have the chance to actually win 13 times - with 12 early bird draws from December 13th to the 24th along with the final jackpot drawn at 2 p.m. on New Year’s Day.
The biggest grand prize draw winner so far took home almost $43,000 and the total for all 12 grand prize draws held since the lottery began $408,065 has been won.
‘TIS THE SEASON
With the holiday season upon us, there are many ways to participate in supporting our community. Here’s a look at upcoming initiatives that support Port Cares.
Friday, December 13th
- The Great Holiday Food Drive & Bake Sale
61 Nickel Street, Reach Out Centre Port Colborne– local schools invited to drop in for holiday festivities and drop off non-perishable food donations to build Macaroni Mountain. A bake sale is also being held with proceeds to support the food bank.
Since1986, Port Cares has offered a multitude of services for people, young and old, not only in Port Colborne, but also across Niagara including Lincoln, West Lincoln, Welland, Pelham and Fort Erie. They offer housing, employment training, a foodbank, EarlyON Child and Family Centres, a meal program, utility assistance, counselling and crisis services- as well as seasonal programs like Give a Gift and more. Their services are wide-ranging - the need is undeniable.
