More than 75 people attended the Stronger Together Community Potluck at Knox Hall today, which featured live music and, of course, a wide variety of food choices - including desserts. 

According to Organizer Robin Davison, attendees were not required to bring a food item, but anything was a welcomed addition. 

Davison said she and her neighbours just wanted to 'pay it forward' in light of the increasing struggles with food security Canadians are experiencing this year.

"The average family is struggling to keep food on the table, and they're struggling at the grocery store because prices keep going up," she explained. "Some reports say that 2024 will see grocery price increases of 2.4 to 4.6 percent, so we're not sure what the solution is, but we're going to try and make it better as far as our neighbours [community members] are concerned. So we are throwing this potluck."

She said Knox Hall graciously donated the space, and she shared the reason for hosting this kind of event.

"We see the need and we decided to do something about it. We don't think that anybody should ever go to bed hungry, especially not in Canada. Reflecting back on the theme, Stronger Together, sharing is caring, and it goes a long way," she said. 

Davison clarified that they are not an organization affiliated with any kind of agenda other than to simply feed people.

"We are your neighbours and we see you. We see you struggling, and we know that food insecurity affects one in five Canadians. That's me. That's you. That's your neighbour. That's your grandparents. That's people that you might not think have food insecurity in their life."

"Food banks are being utilized more than ever and we're feeling the pressure at the grocery store. So we're just a group of neighbours that saw an area where improvement can be made and we took it upon ourselves to do something awesome for the community." 

"It affects all of us in one way or another. It moves a person. It stirs something deep down in your humanity to want to help. We're stronger together."

This article was previously published on April 9th - Find it with full audio HERE.