Meeting called to order by President Dave Robinet at 8:00 a.m.  24 Rotarians plus Linda Downey as guest speaker present and accounted for.

 

Linda provided an update on the activities at the Storehouse Food-bank during this lockdown period.  There are currently 124 households being served by the Wellington food-bank.  Three weeks ago, there was panic mode as people tried to figure out their food supplies during the lockdown.  It is more normal now. Dot has called all the users of the food-bank.  

 

Supplies were delivered to all seniors, shut-ins, and people who could not come to the food-bank due to an illness.  A new process is now in place for Wednesday Pickups.  People drive up to the church and a food box is placed in their car.  There are currently no problems with availability of volunteers to help.  For example, Lavender Farms have provided complimentary hand soap and provided soap and sanitizers to the Legion Manor.  Local business like Home Hardware and Foodland are taking in food donation drop offs.  

 

There are still some problems with purchasing large quantities of food.  The food-bank has made various connections for dry food, veggies, meat, and boxes.

 

The County Foundation has donated $2500 each to the Wellington and Picton Food-banks.  More funds may be available for food insecurity from the County or Federal government, by application process.  

 

For now,  the Wellington food-bank is OK for cash.  Linda will let us know when she needs any cash donations.  One thing each Rotarian can do is buy some extra groceries when each of us go groceries shopping.  Items such as spaghetti sauce, canned veggies, canned tomatoes, cereal, and soup would be appreciated.  Food donations can be left at Home Hardware, Foodland, Rockin' Rogers, or the LCBO.

 

Tim Cox will reach out to Linda to see how he can help with the electrical (wiring) needs at the Food-bank

depot.

 

On other topics:

1.  President Dave Robinet will send out an email asking each active Rotarian their preference for the meeting time: 7:07 a.m. or 8:00 a.m.

2.  Barry Davidson wins the award for most enviable background in the video conference.  It was a beach scene with palm trees swaying in the wind.

3. We will continue with Zoom for our weekly meetings for the time being.  But we will password protect the meeting.  We will be sending out the Meeting ID and the password to access the meeting in two separate emails on Monday before the meeting on Tuesday. All  efforts have been taken to prevent any mishaps such as ZoomBombing.

4. Board members stayed behind after the general meeting to discuss some donation requests for emergency relief from the COVID pandemic.