Kingston and Area Real Estate Association Helps Prepare Nutritious Meals for Community Members in Need
REALTOR® volunteers from the Kingston area were in community kitchens and food packaging facilities to help get food into the bellies of the members of their community who need it. The Kingston and Area Real Estate Association’s (KAREA) REALTORS Care® Day efforts saw 20 participants spread across the region, supporting three critical charities.
In Kingston, volunteers were divided between two local charities: Martha’s Table and the Food Sharing Project. At Martha’s Table, volunteers rolled up their sleeves and served meals to clients through their takeout window. The charity, known for fostering community spirit and providing a stigma-free, warm place for struggling community members to enjoy a meal, greatly appreciated the extra hands. “The REALTORS® offered a great sense of compassion to our guests at the takeout window. They offered supportive comments, empathy, and respect for the guests and were great team players, helping our volunteers,” shared a representative from Martha’s Table.
At the Food Sharing Project, volunteers packed and distributed food for schools across Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox and Addington. This organization plays a crucial role in ensuring that, regardless of their situation at home, students have access to healthy food, which is essential for their learning and development. “Without volunteers packing the food each week, we simply would not be able to get nutritious food to kids who need it. The team of REALTORS® who packed the food in our warehouse that day have made a real and tangible impact – we can get that food to 88 schools, who will nourish young minds and bodies,” shared a representative from the Food Sharing Project.
Meanwhile, 45 kilometres west of Kingston in Napanee, REALTORS® gathered at Morningstar Mission to package and deliver food. Morningstar Mission’s programs provide food, shelter, and support to those who live in poverty, are experiencing homelessness, or at-risk of homelessness, in hopes of helping them rebuild their lives.
REALTOR® volunteer Jody Hanley, Salesperson with Royal LePage Pro Alliance Realty, felt the day was an impactful effort. “A wonderful opportunity to work together with fellow REALTORS® while giving back to our community in a meaningful way.”
KAREA’s REALTORS Care® Day activities helped demonstrate that many hands make light work, and by coming together as a group the difference you can make in the lives of others is exponential.
Kingston and its surrounding communities see the support of KAREA and local REALTORS® in many ways throughout the year. Each year, KAREA connects members with food and shelter-related volunteer work, participates in Remembrance Day initiatives to honour veterans, and hosts a holiday food drive and fundraiser for local food banks. Earlier this year, they hosted a curling bonspiel and cornhole tournament to raise funds for the Inclusive Play Project.
