TAP seeing increased demand for services but decreased donations

Angela Brenner has been the Tavistock Assistance Program’s program director for nearly two years and has seen an increase in community need but a decrease in donations in 2025. Contributed photo

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Tavistock Assistance Program (TAP) has supported individuals or families 146 times, to date, in 2025.

TAP was established in 2009 as an act of caring and compassion by a group of community members. They sought to offer help and hope to those who needed a hand up. It is funded through the generosity of donations, which provide short-term, emergency or temporary support to people living in the communities of Tavistock, Hickson and Shakespeare.

Program director Angela Brenner said nine new clients have received help this year.

“Since 2020, TAP’s service volume has increased by 108 per cent. Our most requested support remains grocery cards, gas cards for important appointments, one-time rent support and utility assistance.”

Requests for assistance with medical items and prescriptions, mobility aids and specialized equipment continue to increase. New this year was a significant number of requests for school snacks and healthy food to support school lunches.

“TAP is aware that good nutrition and full tummies are key for success in school, and we are aware that families who are not able to provide lunches often keep children home from school. We will continue to support families with children who are increasingly struggling to find dollars in their budget for increasing food costs,” said Brenner.

In November, the organization received some shelf space at the Tavistock Library. On those shelves are food hampers, other household items such as toilet paper, cleaning supplies, hygiene products and, when available, pet food, small toys available for gifts and hats and gloves. These items will be available while supplies last and restocked regularly.

“We are excited about this initiative and have seen significant use over the four weeks the program has been operational. We are very appreciative of the connection we have made with library staff and are grateful for their support,” Brenner said.

TAP, like many other charitable groups, has seen a decrease in donations this year. Brenner said there is no government funding, meaning they rely on the community’s generosity.

“Given that TAP is entirely community funded, we rely on generous donations from the community to continue to support our friends and neighbours. We continue to appreciate the donation of gift cards, which allow people to shop for items they enjoy, and to ensure they are able to meet their own dietary and allergy needs.”

She added while some food items are donated each year, and these are used for emergency food hampers, TAP has limited storage space.

“We encourage people wishing to donate food items to ensure that they have not reached their expiry date at the time of donation. We have also seen an increased demand for Christmas support again this year. Each November, we match generous donors from the community with individuals and families who could use some assistance with gifts.”

Donor families are eager and work hard to shop from wish lists, making the holidays special for the recipients.

“We are also thankful to the banks, businesses, family and friend groups, schools, community children and others, who come together to raise funds, gather items and provide care, compassion and kindness to our friends and neighbours during the holiday season and all year long,” said Brenner, who is coming up on two years in her role after spending four years as a board member.

“It is an absolute privilege to support the community and its members, to have conversations and to better understand the needs of our friends and neighbours. As someone who is deeply grateful to live and work in this incredible community, I will continue to advocate for the needs I see, for programs and services that will address root causes and to bring a voice to our community.”

She added TAP treats every story with care, every person with dignity and every need with compassion.

“We are so thankful to the community that continues to support us and, in turn, allows us to do this work.”

Many of the organization’s volunteers and supporters have been around for the full 16 years and Brenner said many of them have reached points in their lives where they are ready to dedicate more time to their hobbies, retirement and other activities.

“We are looking for individuals, adults and youth who would be interested in supporting events and activities throughout the year,” Brenner said.

Anyone interested can contact Brenner at tapisforyou@outlook.com or by phone at 519-655-3500.

“We are hoping to work throughout 2026 to increase the community’s knowledge of our program, to increase our donor base and to continue to meet the needs of our community members as they arise, providing support when possible and referring other community supports as needed.”

For anyone interested in donating, TAP is now able to accept e-transfers to tapisforyou@outlook.com.

Sending donations via cheque or e-transfer rather than PayPal allows an entire donation to reach the organization.