Meaford businessman Keith Bumstead believes that Christmas should be the best experience possible for children, regardless of their family circumstances. To that end, he has donated $10,000 to the Adopt-a-Star Program.
“I love the Christmas spirit,” he told The Independent. “And I know that some kids don’t experience it the way others do.”
Adopt-a-Star is a Meaford Food Bank and Outreach program that provides a package for children to help alleviate the financial stresses during the holiday season, according to Adopt-a-Star Program Co-ordinator Amber Knott.
“Volunteers collect and purchase essential items and put together a package based on sizes and preferences of each child,” she said. “Each package has a new set of pajamas, hygiene items, socks, underwear, hat and gloves, as well as an age-appropriate gift or toy, and a gift card for the families to use towards that ‘special item’.
Bumstead is the president of Core Resources, a general contractor company in the technology sector. He was raised in Meaford and has recently moved back to the the municipality to raise his family. He presented a cheque for $10,000 to the Meaford Food Bank and Outreach President Nellie Greb and Amber Knott on November 19.
“I have wanted to give back to the community when I was financially able,” said Bumstead. “Thanks to our supportive clients that have allowed us to support our local community. This is the least that we can do. Kids are innocent. Hopefully this will brighten their day and set them up for a good year ahead.”
Meaford Food Bank and Outreach runs two special programs over the Christmas holiday season, the Adopt-a-Star Program and a Christmas food hamper program. Staff anticipates a need for 200 food hampers and upwards of 300 Adopt-a-Star packages this holiday season.
“The Core Resources is a huge contribution. It will go such a long way to help us purchase the items for the packages and will make such an amazing difference in our community,” Knott said. “We are so blessed to have such strong community support for these programs.”
For more information, contact the Meaford Food Bank and Outreach office at 519-538-4550 or meafordfoodbankandoutreach.org
