The Somerset Community Health Centre is collecting pennies in support of its after-school programs.
Now that the distribution of the penny has been halted, charities and organizations in the city are looking for a way to give back – one cent at a time.
Many organizations, including the Somerset West Community Health Centre, are encouraging those with spare pennies to donate them in support of local causes.
Rosemary Jones, resource development manager at the health centre, started a penny drive to raise money for four after-school programs in the community.
She says she got the idea to collect the coins – both rolled an unrolled – on the day they were phased out.
Jones says the money will go towards giving children at the program school supplies and healthy snacks – both much needed since the children are mostly from low-income families.
Crystal Gallant is a child and youth worker who helps run the afterschool program at the Laroche Park location.
She says the program hosts 24 children five days a week for three hours. The program teaches kids new sports skills and helps them with their homework.
Gallant says the money raised from the penny drive will help purchase gym equipment and healthy snacks.
“We’re always in need of basketballs and soccer balls and school supplies for children who need them.”
She adds she hopes the penny drive will also help increase awareness about community programs. “The more assistance we can get, the better program we can run.”
Mayor Jim Watson also took part in raising pennies for a good cause. He’s hoping to fill a large jug with pennies in support of the Ottawa Food Bank.
“We’re lucky that the mayor is such a big supporter of the Ottawa Food Bank. He does so much for us,” says Samantha Ingram, spokesperson for the Ottawa Food Bank.
Ingram says the pennies raised will go towards purchasing food. The food bank relies not only on food donations, but also on money donations since it supplies food to 140 member agencies throughout the city.