Fundraiser to assist Station Arts Centre, food bank

The Stationhouse Quilters and Fibre Artists latest fundraiser is to sell tote bags for $15, of which $10 goes to the Tillsonburg and District Craft Guild and $5 to the Helping Hand Food Bank. Left to right are: Tabitha Verbuyst, Station Arts Centre executive director and curator; Gale Connor, Stationhouse Quilters convenor; and Samantha Hamilton, coordinator Helping Hand Food Bank. (Jeff Helsdon Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

The Stationhouse Quilters and Fibre Artists latest venture is designed to give something back to the community.

Based at the Station Arts Centre, the group is creating designer tote bags for what it calls its Wall of Warmth initiative. The bags will be for sale on March 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Station Arts Centre for $15 each.

The proceeds will be divided, with $10 going to the Station Arts Centre and $5 to the Helping Hand Food Bank.

Gale Connor, the quilters' convenor, said she had the idea, and the group was on board.

“It’s really quick and easy to make bags,” she said. “I took it to the group, and we ran with it from there.”

The Stationhouse Quilters like to help the community, and will be donating the material for the bags. This wasn’t the first time they were involved in a charitable effort for the community, as they previously made bags and pillow cases for the shelter at Avondale United Church.

Tabitha Verbuyst, executive director and curator of the Station Arts Centre, likes the collaborative nature of this fundraiser. She said it promotes sustainability, local shopping, community support, functional art and local food security.

“We love the community events because we are part of a community giving back to the community,” said Samantha Hamilton, coordinator of the Tillsonburg Helping Hand Food Bank, explaining face-to-face contact is good, which doesn’t always occur with quick food drop-offs at the back door of the food bank, and this opportunity allows talking about volunteer opportunities with the food bank.

Verbuyst pointed out those who may purchase a bag may be different from those who typically donate to the food bank.

“It brings out a different group of people,” she said. “They’re coming out and giving back.”

“People are afraid to volunteer unless they know what they’re getting into,” Connor said, adding this makes it easier for people to ask questions.

Visitors to the station Arts Centre on the 14th will also be able to go in and talk to the quilters as they will have a work session creating more bags. Hamilton will also be on hand that day to accept food donations and talk to people.