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Cyclone Aid Goes Virtual

Community Updates

The Inn of the Good Shepherd is pleased to partner with St. Patrick’s Catholic High School to launch a virtual CycloneAid!   While the start of COVID a year ago led to the cancelation of CycloneAid – the staff and students at St. Patrick’s are determined to carry on with CycloneAid this year.  CycloneAid will help The Inn to help those families who are in need and who are struggling due to the ongoing pandemic and job interruptions. 

“For 19 years Cyclone Aid led by St. Pat’s has worked together with the Sarnia community to support the essential services provided by The Inn of the Good Shepherd, says Ann Clarke, Chaplaincy Leader at St. Patrick’s Catholic High School.  “We are asking that the caring Sarnia community continue to support Cyclone Aid this year through financial donations since we are not able to collect items door to door. We look forward to working together to make a positive difference in the lives of our brothers and sisters. 

As going door to door to collect food just isn’t feasible this year, the St. Pat’s team is seeking financial donations from within the Catholic school community and the community at large to help raise funds to enable The Inn to purchase much needed food. 

The average CycloneAid food drive collects 28,000 pounds of food.  To help the food bank, CycloneAid has set a fundraising goal of raising $28,000 – one dollar for every pound that is typically collected! 

“It’s tremendous that the students and staff of St. Pat’s are keen to carry on the tradition of CycloneAid, which is really more than just collecting food – it’s about learning to care for others,” says Myles Vanni, Executive Director of the Inn of the Good Shepherd. 

There has been an increased need due to COVID.  Last April to September, The Inn distributed over 6000 emergency food boxes; and while pre-COVID, The Inn had 35 people in shelter, they are currently sheltering and feeding more than 220 people who are homeless and in shelter. Supporting CycloneAid is easy!  In addition to support within the St. Pat’s community, financial donations can be mailed in or dropped off at The Inn at 115 John St. (please be sure to mark the donation for CycloneAid or go on-line at www.theinnsarnia.ca/donate (select the drop down fund option #2 – CycloneAid)