Charlottetown 'Care Fair' offers one-stop help

A Charlottetown woman wants to offer Islanders in need a free one-day shopping event in May.

Betty Begg volunteers with the Salvation Army and PEI Food Share, and is helping to organize a Care Fair at the Farm Centre in Charlottetown.

She's looking for people in need, and for those who want to give.

"Just a great family day on the Island," said Begg.  "And anybody else that cares, that either wants to give or wants to help, whether it's collecting food, clothing or whatever.

"Whether it's taking a little old lady and finding her a coat, and carrying her bags to the car. Whether it's a mother that's just got a job and she needs a couple of nice outfits, or for the children to fill their cart with groceries."

Begg said she knows there are already many organizations and individuals providing food to people in need.

But she says more can be done; for example, people can only go to the food bank once a month.

"Desperate for food? I've seen them in lineups crying, I've seen them, I've given them food," she said. "Mothers, like one of the big things we need is kid's school snacks, and milk and cereal. If a kid goes to school and they had a piece of toast, but they had nothing on that toast, or they didn't have cereal or whatever, how can they learn?"

Begg is asking Islanders from all walks of life to donate, including fishermen, farmers, grocery store owners, even barbers.

"We need just about everything. Islanders say they want to help these people that I'm trying to help and this is a great way to help them," she said. "Everybody can get involved, not only the people that need, but the people that can give, or maybe that day have a hotdog and a coffee with these people, and just see and talk to them about their needs, offer some music, offer free haircuts."

The Care Fair will be held all-day Saturday, May 21 at the Farm Centre on University Ave. in Charlottetown.

For more information contact bettybegg@gmail.com