(November 30, 2023 - PORT COLBORNE) For the fourth consecutive year Port Cares
will kick-off its Holiday 50 50 lottery on Friday, December 1st at 12:01 a.m. This vital
fundraising initiative helps to raise money to fund services and programs for low income
families and individuals struggling to make ends meet.
Port Cares is proud to say that despite the impact of inflation our draw tickets prices will
remain the same great price at five tickets for $10, 20 for $20 or 100 for $40. Tickets can be
purchased online with a credit card at www.portcares5050.ca or in person with cash,
credit or debit at Port Cares 92 Charlotte location Monday to Friday 8:30 to 4:30. Ticket
purchasers before December 13th have the chance to actually win 13 times - with 12 early
bird draws from December 13th to the 24th along with the final jackpot drawn at 2 p.m. on New Year’s Day.
“Our 50 50 draw is one of the positive things that came out of the pandemic. Four years
ago I would have never imagined that we would still be running strong with our lottery.
And thank goodness because no one ever thought that we would be facing the
circumstances we find ourselves in today in this post-pandemic economy where we are
assisting more people than ever before,,” explains Christine Clark Lafleur, Chief Executive
Officer of Port Cares. “More and more young working families with children and seniors are
coming to the food bank and or using our meal programs simply because they cannot
make ends meet.”
Port Cares is a charity and relies on fundraising and donations to help families
experiencing poverty. ”We provide groceries and hot meals as South Niagara’s largest
food bank. We also provide critical housing, homelessness services, crisis intervention and
as well as other basic needs so we had to act fast and effectively to raise funds to keep our
doors open with all safety measures in place so we could aid people through what we
believed were the worst of times. We never expected that nearly two and half years later
we would need to continue to rely on this vital fundraising program because we are
helping even more people through these tough times,” adds Clark Lafleur noting that
inflation and rising costs of living is the driver behind the new crisis.
The biggest draw winner so far took home almost $43,000 and the total for all 10 draws held since
the lottery began $328,490 has been won.
This holiday season Port Cares will provide a Christmas dinner and gift for likely 200 local
residents.
The Give a Gift program provides low-income parents and caregivers toys, clothing, warm boots
and books as Christmas gifts for roughly 420 to 500 children. For 150 children and adults
experiencing extreme poverty and difficult circumstances, Port Cares facilitates assistance and
Christmas gifts given by anonymous donors.
‘TIS THE SEASON
With the holiday season upon us, there are many ways to participate in supporting our community.
Here’s a look at upcoming initiatives that support Port Cares.
Saturday, December 2 beginning at 6 pm
• Port Colborne Santa Clause Parade – Fill the Fire Truck with a non-perishable food donation
Friday, December 8th
• The Great Holiday Food Drive – Fill the Firetruck
61 Nickel Street, Reach Out Centre Port Colborne – local schools invited to drop in for
holiday festivities and drop off non-perishable food donations to fill the fire truck
Since 1986, Port Cares has offered a multitude of services for people, young and old, not only in
Port Colborne, but also across Niagara including Lincoln, West Lincoln, Welland, Pelham and Fort
Erie. They offer housing, employment training, a foodbank, EarlyON Child and Family Centres, a
meal program, utility assistance, counselling and crisis services- as well as seasonal programs like
Give a Gift and more. Their services are wide-ranging - the need is undeniable.
QUICK FACTS ABOUT PORT CARES REACH OUT CENTRE:
• Port Cares Reach Out Centre Food bank (ROFC) assists 3,000 individuals. A third of the
people reliant on the ROFC Food Bank are children.
• The most needed food item donations for the food bank include canned meat, canned fruit,
canned vegetables, pasta & sauce, peanut butter, cereal, jam, baby food, formula and
diapers, personal hygiene items.
• Last school year the Port Cares Reach Out Food Centre located at 61 Nickel Street, Port
Colborne, provided 2,020 lunch kits and more than 12,000 lunches to local school-age
elementary and secondary school children who live in low-income households.
• Hot, nutritious community meals are served three times a week to families and individuals in
need with more than 120 adults and children typically attend each meal.
Port Cares’ mission is to help those in our community with social and economic needs improve their quality of life. Port Cares’ vision is to provide help, hope and opportunity for all to achieve their potential.