A local Port Elgin bar is helping make sure people in need were getting fed over the Christmas holiday.
Owner and Operator of Queens Bar and Grill Pier Donnini says this year’s program delivered nearly of 1,700 meals to people in Saugeen Shores and Saugeen First Nation.
“On the 23 we delivered 875 meals to the Saugeen First Nation Food Bank, that they then turned around and distributed themselves within their community, and on the 24, we and our army of volunteers and drivers delivered 820 meals here in Saugeen Shores,” says Donnini.
He says the 13 annual event has grown over recent years, particularly since Covid, as they have been seeing an increased need.
“In small communities like ours, the need can sometimes be not so obvious, but it is very much there always underlying under the surface. Frankly this probably only scratches the surface of all the needs needed in our community. The number has only grown,” says Donnini.
Donnini says the sizable operation, which includes drivers, Queens Bar and Grill staff and volunteers, also delivered hot and cold meals, as well as desserts to emergency services.
“We take orders from fire, police, the hospital, anybody who is working,” says Donnini.
He says the yearly program has evolved in recent years since the pandemic, as they moved to a delivery system. Donnini hopes they will be able to have a place where they can provide these types of meals.
“There are dreams of building an actual hub where people can get meals, maybe warm up, see about some services being provided where they can go for help for various needs. It’s a dream at this point but I know there are some in our community that would like to start that, I would be happy to participate and lend whatever I can. Hopefully in the not so distant future we can start something like that,” says Donnini.