The Heat Bank Haliburton County is an example of an innovative model that could be replicated in other communities. It was a community initiative with a mission to increase the supply of and ease of access to emergency firewood and heat for vulnerable residents of Haliburton County.
They formed when a number of community groups, agencies and community members recognized a need for a united front to help people keep warm.
Heat Bank Haliburton County is now a program of the Central Food Network, which is a registered charity operating in the Municipality of Highlands East in the beautiful Haliburton Highlands.
We have firewood depots situated across Haliburton County which allows for wood donations to be directed to an area close to its source. It also means that we are really "neighbours helping neighbours," especially given the number of community members who come together to help cut and split wood and the team of volunteers who deliver it, even on the worst of winter days.
Since 2013, they have worked tirelessly to introduce new services in an efforts to reduce the impacts of poverty and arm households with the tools they need to prevent and overcome heating & hydro emergencies.
We have firewood depots situated across Haliburton County which allows for wood donations to be directed to an area close to its source. It also means that we are really "neighbours helping neighbours," especially given the number of community members who come together to help cut and split wood and the team of volunteers who deliver it, even on the worst of winter days.
Since 2013, they have worked tirelessly to introduce new services in an efforts to reduce the impacts of poverty and arm households with the tools they need to prevent and overcome heating & hydro emergencies.
The Bracebridge-Muskoka Lakes Rotary Club assisted a gentleman who had become ill and cut his firewood to ensure he kept warm over that winter. We're sure many Clubs have provided this assistance in their area.
This project takes it to another level by formalizing the process and ensuring that those in need may be able to access needed firewood when struggling.
For more information, please call the founder and new member of the Rotary Impact Club District 7010, Tina Jackson at tina@centralfoodnetwork.org