KINBURN – The proceeds from last October’s Galetta Community Association (GCA) annual rummage and garage sale are now helping the West Carleton community.

GCA President Sandra Fletcher dropped by the West Carleton Food Access Centre (WCFAC) Thursday (Dec. 5) to drop off a big, fat cheque.

The GCA was presenting $500 to the WCFAC that day and would be providing $500 to the Grove Redevelopment Fund on another date.

The $1,000 donated was raised through the sale of thousands of nearly new items during the GCA’s annual four-day rummage sale held at the Galetta Community Centre.

Meanwhile, the WCFAC centre is working through its busiest time of the year.

The Christmas Basket program is ongoing and those who are in need of a little help over the holiday season a WCFAC Christmas Basket provides still have time to order the incredible gift.

The deadline for basket requests is Dec. 16. On Dec. 20 WCFAC volunteers will be packing the baskets at the Carp Anglican church parish hall and will also be delivering them that same day.

“The Christmas baskets provide a full turkey dinner and breakfast for the next day,” the WCFAC’s Sharon Roper told West Carleton Online. “We’re still taking orders until Dec. 16. Leave a message and an operator will get back to you.”

To order a basket or get more information on the program call the WCFAC at 613-832-5685 and leave a message of email them at WCfoodaid@gmail.com.

The WCFAC Angel Tree program is also ongoing. The WCFAC has 18 Angel Trees distributed around the community at various churches, schools and businesses. On each tree are several cards describing the person (sex, age) the gift is for. Participants select a card, purchase a present and drop the unwrapped gift back at the Angel Tree they got the card at.

“Right now, I have 70 children requests,” Roper said. “Gift cards or movie theatre tickets are always good – especially for the older kids.”

While the demand is greater for the WCFAC this time of year, so is the support. The community really rallies during the holidays. WCFAC treasurer Brigid Whitnall was also at the WCFAC for the GCA cheque donation. After that, she opened some mail.

Sure enough, there was a cheque. Whitnall says even when community members move away, they continue to support the WCFAC.

“Donations come in from across the country through different organizations,” Whitnall said. “People move away but keep supporting us. We got a cheque from Vancouver today.”