PARRY SOUND and NORTH BAY, ON – Inspired by the remarkable levels of community support they have received since they were locked out by Nipissing and Parry Sound Children’s Aid Society (CAS), workers are finding ways to repay the generosity they’ve been shown through their own “Pay It Forward” campaign.
As a thank-you to Parry Sound, locked-out workers are holding a “drive-through food drive” on Tuesday, near the location of their usual picket line at the CAS offices on Church Street. They will deliver the day’s donations to Parry Sound Harvest Share community food bank at the end of the afternoon.
“We are proud to give back to our community in this way,” said Debbie Hill, president of Local 2049 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). “Since the lockout began on December 23, our members have been on the receiving end of so much kindness from our community supporters and allies.
“As people who work in child protection, we believe strongly that it’s important to pay our community back by ‘paying it forward’.”
Members of CUPE 2049 began their campaign in North Bay last week, collecting donations for the local humane society and organizing a food drive for the local food bank there.
Who: Frontline child protection workers and administrative and support staff of the Children’s Aid Society of the District of Nipissing and Parry Sound and supporters
What: “Drive-through food drive” in support of Parry Sound Harvest Share community food bank; the event is part of CUPE 2049’s “Pay It Forward” campaign
When: Food drive takes place on Tuesday, January 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
12 noon: photo and interview opportunities with locked-out workers of Nipissing and Parry Sound CAS, including president of CUPE 2049, Debbie Hill,
3:30 p.m.: delivery of donations to Parry Sound Harvest Share community food bank
Where: corner of Mary and Church Streets, Parry Sound, ON
For more information, contact:
Debbie Hill, President, CUPE 2049, 705-358-5887
Fran Bélanger, CUPE National Representative, 705-262-3909
Mary Unan, CUPE Communications, 647-390-9839
