You can show your love for food-insecure families during February by participating in “Love Month”, a month-long series of events Kawartha Lakes Food Source is hosting with local businesses and organizations — including Kawartha Conservation, which will be lighting and decorating a forest trail at Ken Reid Conservation Area in Lindsay.
During Love Month, Kawartha Lakes Food Source is raising awareness about food insecurity in the City of Kawartha Lakes while also providing the community with more opportunities to donate during one of the months when the non-profit food distribution organization feeds the most people yet receives the fewest donations.
Love Month kicks off on Wednesday (February 1) with Kindness Bingo, where participants have until February 25 to fill a straight or diagonal line on a bingo card by completing the tasks in each square of a bingo card. Tasks include a variety of free activities, donating to local charities, shopping at local businesses, and taking part in the rest of the events connected to Love Month. Kindness Bingo participants will have a chance to win two tickets to the “Take a Bite Out of Hunger!” gala dinner in April.
Kindness Bingo cards are available in Lindsay at Kawartha Lakes Food Source’s distribution centre at 164 Needham St., Unwrapped Kawartha at 112 Kent St W., Kawartha Art Gallery at 190 Kent St. W. (2nd floor), Burns Bulk Food at 118 Kent St. W., North Ward Coffee Co. at 172 Angeline St. N., Ken Reid Administrative Centre at 277 Kenrei Rd., Kawartha Lakes Public Library at 190 Kent St W., BGC Kawarthas at 107 Lindsay St. S., Hill’s Florist at 182 Lindsay St. S., and The Kent Florist at 92 Kent St. W.
Also beginning on February 1st is “Love Bright”, a forest trail at Ken Reid Conservation Area near Lindsay that Kawartha Conservation is adorning with twinkling lights and Love Month decorations. Located near the off-leash dog park, the Love Bright trail will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the entire month of February.
“We are thrilled to be a part of this wonderful event and to help raise awareness and funds for those in need in our community,” says Kristie Virgoe, Kawartha Conservation’s director of stewardship and conservation lands. “We invite everyone to come and experience Ken Reid Conservation Area at night and to support a great cause while enjoying a unique and beautiful experience.”
One dollar from each $4 paid parking admission to Ken Reid Conservation Area between 5 and 9 p.m. for the month of February will go to support Kawartha Lakes Food Source. As well, visitors are encouraged to drop off non-perishable food donations in the Administrative Centre during regular business hours Monday to Friday. Visitors can also make monetary donations directly to Kawartha Lakes Food Source by scanning the QR code at the entrance of the Love Bright trail
“We had such an amazing response to the Illuminated Forest in December at Ken Reid Conservation Area,” Virgoe says. “We’re excited to be able to work with the Kawartha Lakes Food Source to create the Love Bright Trail and provide a new heart-warming experience for visitors.”
On Wednesday, February 8th from 7 to 8:15 p.m., Unwrapped (112 Kent St. W., Lindsay) will be offering a Vinyasa Flow yoga class. Admission is a food or monetary donation to Kawartha Lakes Food Source. All levels, from beginner to advanced, are welcome to join but must bring their own yoga mats.
On Valentine’s Day (Tuesday, February 14th), Kawartha Lakes Food Source is hosting a “Valentine’s Day Paint Night” at its distribution centre (164 Needham St., Lindsay). Participants will enjoy snacks, beverages, and a painting lesson from a professional artist.
Tickets are $55 per person and includes all materials, food, and drinks. They can be purchased online at eventbrite.ca/e/523780570787 or in person at the distribution centre.
Wrapping up Love Month is a food drive at the Kawartha Lakes Food Source distribution centre (164 Needham St., Lindsay) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 25th.
Non-perishable food items like peanut butter, coffee, and condiments are welcome, along with perishable food items including fresh vegetables, eggs, and milk. Personal care or household items are also welcome.
At the food drive, Kindness Bingo participants will have a chance to win two tickets to “Take a Bite Out of Hunger!”, a gala dinner to be held in April at Hobart’s Steakhouse (189 Kent St. W., Lindsay) featuring a new curated menu for the event and a selection of local beer. To be entered into the draw, bring a donation and completed Kindness Bingo card to the February 25th food drive.
To learn more about about Kawartha Lakes Food Source or Love Month, visit kawarthalakesfoodsource.com.
