The Grand River Agricultural Society recently presented two cheques to bolster local community initiatives.

On April 17, a donation of $5,000 was awarded to MennoHomes to assist with the exterior landscaping of a barrier-free housing complex in Elmira, Ont. According to MennoHomes, the three-storey, 25 unit apartment building will be the only affordable rental apartment building with an elevator in the growing town. With one, two, and three bedroom units, tenants will be a mix of seniors, singles, and small families.

The land is a former brownfield site, purchased in partnership with Woolwich Community Services in 2014. WCS completed their new building, the Lions Resource Centre, in the Fall of 2014. MennoHomes coordinated the installation of site work and services with WCS to reduce costs and minimize disruption.

Occupancy is anticipated for Spring 2017. The $5,000 donation from GRAS marks the $500,000 marker in the $1.7 million fundraising campaign.

On April 21, the Waterloo Wellington Dufferin branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association was presented with a donation for $26,250. The funding supports Eating Well and Enjoying Food, a nutrition program designed for JK, SK and Grade 1 school children.

Created by CMHA WWD Registered Dietitian Kelly Forster, the program aims to promote positive messages about food and healthy living by educating children about a variety of nutrition-related topics. The GRAS donation will see the further development and implementation of programs for children of new age groups, including information about rural agricultural foods and farming practices.

The Grand River Agricultural Society is a not-for-profit corporation, incorporated under the Agricultural and Horticultural Societies Act of Ontario and governed by a volunteer board of directors reporting to OMAFRA.

The GRAS mandate is to encourage awareness of agriculture and to promote improvements in the quality of life of persons living in an agricultural community.

(Grand River)