Feel like being kind and helping out a neighbour? Don’t forget to snap a photo.

This February, The Sharing Place food bank, as part of #RAK16 have created the “Sharing the Love” campaign, in collaboration with a group of volunteer students from Georgian College, and they are giving citizens a chance to be rewarded for their generosity.

“There is an online scavenger hunt running throughout February,” said Shawna Ballik, operations manager at the food bank. “It’s called Random Acts of Kindness. To enter, people have to take photographs of themselves or of their friends doing random acts of kindness, such as putting change in a parking meter or helping someone carry their groceries or shovelling a neighbour’s drive.”

By posting photos using the hashtag #SharingTheLoveOrillia on Facebook and Instagram, the food bank will be able to track entries, and someone will be eligible to win a 32-inch television, which was donated anonymously, said Ballik.

The group of four college students have organized various family-oriented events such as public skating that took place Friday at Rotary Place and a movie, Inside Out, being shown Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Orillia Community Church, with free popcorn and juice.

Also as part of the campaign, Brewery Bay Food Company will host a live-music event Saturday night at 9 p.m.

Admission to each event is free with a food or cash donation to The Sharing Place.

The project, which was initiated by Georgian College social services worker students last year, started as a one-day event, but as students brainstormed, it expanded into a two-week campaign.

“We were throwing ideas around and decided to make it a two-week event and end around Valentine’s Day,” said Rafael Chacon, a second-year student. “And that’s where the name Sharing the Love comes from.”

Eric Sterling, also a second-year social services worker student, had already volunteered at The Sharing Place and was surprised by the number of clients using the service.

“Orillia is a pretty high-poverty city, (and) that hit me,” he said. “So, I wanted to help.”

With his fellow students, Sterling put together a calendar of events to help bring in funds for the food bank.

“Ultimately, it’s a really good experience,” he said. “(With) the success that comes out of it, I can be proud to say I was part of it.”

Chacon agreed, adding food insecurity is a growing problem, not just in Orillia, but all over Simcoe County.

“I’m just really passionate to bring awareness about that,” he said. “A lot of people think it’s only a problem during Christmas and Thanksgiving, but it’s a year-round problem.”

For more information, check out www.rakinitiative.com

About the Author

Brent Lindeque is the founder and editor in charge at Good Things Guy.

Recognised as one of the Mail and Guardian’s Top 200 Young South African’s as well as a Primedia LeadSA Hero, Brent is a change maker, thought leader, radio host, foodie, vlogger, writer and all round good guy.

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