Christian Island residents received more than just bunnies and chocolates for Easter; they received essential food supplies brought over from the mainland.
Volunteers and Beausoleil First Nation staff worked to sort through the food brought over by Hewitt's Farm Market co-owner Trevor Hewitt. Once sorted and packaged, it took volunteers and staff about two days to disburse the items brought over Wednesday in the 26-foot truck, said Jeff Monague, a member of the emergency control group, which worked with council to make this idea possible.
Monague said the number of volunteers and staff was kept to a handful to enable them to properly follow the rules of physical distancing in an effort to ensure their safety.
A few weeks ago, the Beausoleil First Nation group got together to look at how the 750 residents of the island could access fresh produce and meats, since lockdown conditions on the island prevented them from taking a ferry trip to town.
Through this project, residents were able to drive up to the community centre, where the food packages were handed out, said Monague, adding volunteers delivered packages to those who were not able to drive to the community centre.
He said people were grateful and thanked the chief and council, as well as the emergency control group and Hewitt's for the Easter gift.
Monague said the partnership will bring over food every week and residents will be given a chance to provide feedback about what other items might be included in the request made to Hewitt's, which is being paid for the service.
The emergency control group provides updates on the Beausoleil Island First Nation website, on which it also lists an email address to contact the emergency control group.
