With a decline in funding and volunteers, the Nanaimo 7-10 Club is seeking assistance from the community.
The club offers free hot breakfast and bag lunches to the needy and according to Gord Fuller, board chairman, individual donations have dropped the past three years, something he believes is a symptom of the recent economic downturn. Money also comes from provincial gaming grants, service clubs and businesses.
“We don’t have a huge budget. We went from $120,000 a year to, I think it was less than $110,000 last year,” said Fuller. “For us it’s a big drop, but we do plug away.”
While there are a number of long-timers, attracting volunteers is a problem and Fuller said any help will be appreciated, whether it be to help serve food, with food preparation or cleanup.
The club will also be hosting its inaugural Run/Walk Out Hunger in Nanaimo fundraising event on Oct. 12 at Westwood Lake Park. Participants will gather pledges and all proceeds will go toward helping the club to operate.
“Registration is at 8:30 a.m. and the run will begin at about 10 a.m. and the walk about 10:10 a.m. and we’re hoping people will come up,” said Fuller. “They can register the day of the event if they want and make a donation, or they [can] get teams together and get donations for themselves or their team.”
The 7-10 Club operates Monday through Friday between 7-10 a.m. on Prideaux Street and averages about 175 people a day.
For more information or to sign up for the run, please go to www.nanaimo710club.com.