Grants to others unchanged after vote by Perth councillors defeats motion

LAURIE WEIR

In a concerted effort to address food insecurity and foster a healthier, more connected community, The Table Community Food Centre (CFC) in Perth is making significant strides through various programs and partnerships.

Ramsey Hart, executive director at The Table, addressed council on Aug. 4 as part of his annual report. However, he was also there to ask council to reconsider how they will provide grants to others as they receive core funding from the town for $15,000.

Council was ready to address how they provide nearly $247,000 in grants, including revisiting the amounts given to others, but the motion to do so was defeated.

In his presentation, Hart noted that with food inflation easing from 11.4 per cent in January 2023 to 3.4 per cent in January 2024, the community still faces challenges, but The Table’s efforts are providing crucial support to those in need, noted Ramsey Hart in his address to Perth councillors on Aug. 4 during a regular meeting.

The 2023 Food Insecurity Report by the Health Unit highlights the ongoing need for food support in Perth. Over the past year, The Table has delivered an impressive 13,620 community meals, managed 3,250 Good Food Bank visits, and distributed 2,694 Fresh Food Boxes. The centre’s impact extends beyond food, with over 13,444 volunteer hours recorded and 1,339 visits to Community Navigators, Hart noted.

The Table’s partnerships with the Town of Perth have been instrumental, including annual funding of $15,000, which covers 14 per cent of the Good Food Bank’s budget. The collaboration has also facilitated events like the Zombie Walk, Holiday Train, and Festival of Lights, and expanded garden spaces, including the new Daines Place Allotment Gardens.

Looking ahead, The Table is launching new initiatives, such as a Multicultural Potluck, a Lived-experience Advisory Group, and strategic planning for 2025. These efforts are part of a broader commitment to addressing food insecurity and social isolation, improving both physical and mental health in the community.

The Table remains a vital resource, promoting food security, social justice, and a sense of belonging among Perth residents, as evidenced by the surveyed community members who reported improved health and well-being due to their involvement with the centre. As the community continues to navigate challenges, The Table’s programs and advocacy play a critical role in building a healthier, more resilient Perth, Hart noted.

In June, Coun. Jim Boldt said he would like to see comparisons with other municipalities as he said he feels they pay way too much – almost $247,000. Three of the grants are provided to organizations through a bylaw including Tayside Community Options ($20,000), Senior Craft Fellowship ($5,000) and Perth Santa Parade ($1,500). The largest recipient is the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital at $98,000.

The grants to others budget is about 2.5 per cent of the tax revenues; one per cent is equal to $93,000. 

Hart said usage of The Table is trending upward. Although many people call the organization the foodbank, Hart said “we do so much more than that.”

The town’s grant supports funding challenges The Table saw in 2024, including a 20 per cent drop in individual donations.

“It is helpful to know that year to year we have something that we’ve been able to count on since our inception 10 years ago – or at least my tenure here at The Table,” Hart said. “Core funding is a rare thing in the charity world.”

When it came time to discuss the process for establishing the grants to others’ budget, Boldt said this was brought up to find ways to save money. It was not to single out any individual group but to take a look at the overall amount that is being granted to others – almost as much as the entire County of Lanark. He said he’d be in favour of providing the grants to others as it sits now until the end of this council term.

The motion to change the way the grants to others are being distributed was defeated by council.