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Niagara Falls
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Editorial: Whenever help is needed

Good news: Newark Neighbours, the food bank and thrift store that has been a community fixture in Niagara-on-the-Lake for 50 years, is expanding, having outgrown the building it has called home since 1992.

Bad news: That a community like Niagara-on-the-Lake – or any community in Canada, a country blessed with so much – should need a food bank and thrift store to help the less fortunate.

But that is one of the cold realities of our world.

Despite all the resources and affluence enjoyed by so many communities, just like ours, the gap between the haves and the have-nots seems not to have narrowed.

Thank goodness for organizations like Newark Neighbours and the foresight a half-century ago of founders Peggy Anderson and Nikki Aiken, who launched the agency in 1971.

From the roots they set down a couple of generations ago has grown a vital and essential organization that helps those in need.

Across Niagara, NOTL is often associated with wealth and abundance. In many measurable ways that is accurate and some in the region are quick to denigrate this town for it.

That attitude is misplaced and unfair. We're not perfect, but the people, service clubs, community groups and businesses of Niagara-on-the-Lake are always quick to step up when their community needs it.

That is undoubtedly one reason why Newark Neighbours has flourished as a social agency.

It is also a reason why we are confident that NOTLers will pull together to find a new home for Newark Neighbours.

We also wish to acknowledge United Way Niagara and the accounting/consulting firm MNP.

As featured this week in The Lake Report, the two have teamed up to help raise thousands of dollars for the important work done by United Way agencies.

The $25,000 new donor matching program means MNP will double the impact of new contributions. This kind of corporate leadership is welcome – and needed.

We appreciate companies like MNP supporting the communities where their employees and customers live and work.

One aspect of a life well lived is about making a difference and we encourage everyone to support these community causes as best as they are able.

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