When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Andrea Loohuizen wanted to help even more in her community. In her work as Volunteer Coordinator at the Exeter Pentecostal Church’s Noah’s Ark and Community Table, Andrea already saw the needs, but she knew the pandemic presented an added challenge to vulnerable and newly vulnerable local individuals and families.

With food from the Huron County Food Bank Distribution Centre and working with her husband Jon, daughters Izzy and Dallas and a team of six volunteers, Andrea began putting together food hampers for local families in need. Every Monday, she labels boxes with the names of the families and stocks them with dry goods. On Tuesday, Andrea fills the boxes with fresh items such as meat and veggies and prepares them for delivery. Starting with 20 hampers per week, the program now provides 150–180 hampers weekly, helping 460 people!

The Community Table’s food hamper program has been a valuable resource for people in Exeter and South Huron; a testament to the care, compassion and hard work Andrea and her small team invest in the project!