A $25,000 donation from BASF Agricultural Solutions Canada will help stock the volunteer-run Petrolia Community Refrigerator for about five months.

The donation was awarded after the community voted for the project. The money will help volunteers continue providing food and support to those in need in the Petrolia community.

Representatives from the company visited the Petrolia Community Refrigerator at St. Paul’s United Church to see how their donation is helping local people. The community refrigerator provides free food to anyone in need. Petrolia was one of three Ontario programs chosen for BASF’s Growing Home initiative and received $25,000 after getting the most public votes earlier this year. Larry Leckie, who helps run the charity, said the money is a big help because the group now spends about $4,000 to $5,000 each month on groceries and works hard to keep the refrigerator shelves full.

The Petrolia Community Refrigerator is run by about 50 volunteers and provides free food to people in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The program has a small shed with shelves, a refrigerator, and a freezer, and about 45 to 50 people use it each day. The program receives surplus food through Second Harvest and Harvest Hands, as well as donations from local residents and businesses.

BASF’s Growing Home program started in 2022 to give back to farmers and their communities. Community groups are nominated by BASF customers, with three finalists chosen in each of Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. People across the country can then vote online to decide the winners. In Ontario, the Norwich District Curling Club came second and received $10,000, while 1st Beamsville Scouting placed third and received $5,000.

Source: Paul Morden, The Sarnia Observer