When you are a husband and wife team with first names Dick and Jane you can have a lot of fun. Dick and Jane Babcock are doing a lot more than that.
On March 12, the couple, along with family and committed friends launched Fun with Dick and Jane at the VBJ Centre on Victoria Square. What is Fun with Dick and Jane? It's a free lunch program and more.
The whole idea was started by Ontario Works Outreach Worker, Marilyn Allday. She put the bug in the ear of Cindy Newman, daughter of Dick and Jane. Cindy pushed the idea until three weeks later the couple approached Cramahe Township. The idea was eagerly accepted by Cramahe Council, and a week later on March 12 the Wednesday lunch program opened at 10 a.m.
The numbers continue to grow. Last week 74 diners came for lunch. This week there were 76 as they approached their 2 p.m. closing.
The food has come from a variety of sources. The Food 4 All Foodbank warehouse has been handy. Four local farmers have brought in invaluable fresh produce. Last week there were zucchinis, beets, cucumbers and potatoes. Residents of the area have made donations too. Colborne Foodliner is providing half of the four loaves of bread they use each week. Things like margarine, milk and eggs have to be bought if they're not donated.
Easter was a happy time for the diners, thanks to the generosity of Belleville Pastor, Jim Bruce. In March the pastor donated 12 turkey loaves and 12 ham loaves worth over $1,600. When Dick and Jane hosted their August 9 "We'll Sing for Food Jamboree" in Victoria Square he showed up with 1,000 weiners. On another occasion he arrived with two huge tubs of ice cream.
Pastor Bruce feeds 280-a-day in Kingston and another 160 in Belleville.
In Colborne every other week is give-out week. Patrons at the Wednesday lunch can fill out forms when they arrive requesting food and staples they can take home. Everything from pasta to peanut butter, as well as soap and cleaning supplies is on the list. While the diners are eating, Bonnie Laurienzo, Pam Lewis, Greg Hailey, Rebecca Newman, Connor Brooks, Cindy, Dick and Jane fill the orders so the families have food to take home. On August 19, there were 25 orders to fill.
Not all the requests can be met. Sometimes the requested products aren't on the shelves. Jane says that most often happens with toiletries.
Ms. Allday explains this is about food security. It's her responsibility to create and enhance programs so that people in the area are getting enough to eat. Having the VBJ Center open for four hours a week allows her time to meet her clients anad provide them with information about services and subsidies for families in crisis.
This is more than a job or a volunteer hobby for Jane. She says she is having fun but she is committed to helping others, quietly and with the ongoing support of friends and family who believe in giving a hand up to others.
She says she will take anything. While we were standing in the VBJ Centre a donor walked in with a box of 500 bags. The Colborne Lawn Bowling Club donated the club dishes when it folded. If Dick and Jane can't use the gift for their Wednesday program, they will pass it on to someone who can. "It's all about helping each other out."
Jane can be contacted at 905 355-5222.
The "staff"
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