A tenacious fire gutted a Wellington Street West complex housing several businesses, as well as a food bank, on Thursday evening.

The blaze is believed to have started in the storage area of Morency’s Quality Meats, before spreading to Buns Master Bakery, Chatham Outreach for Hunger, Right to Life Kent and several vacant units.

Donations are now being accepted for Outreach For Hunger – their entire stock was wiped out due to the fire.

Several local businesses and groups are accepting donations – but we need YOUR help!

Locations accepting donations include 99.1 CKXS, Sears Dealer Store, Leon’s Furniture, Choices 4 Wellness, All That Jazz, The Capitol Theater, I ♥ Juicy , Gift Fairy ,  Salvation Army, Rain and Shine, Sobeys (11-3) , Blackburn Radio,  TD Canada Trust , Performance Health & Fitness, Bowlerama, Greyhound, Adventure Hours Nursery School, Home & Garden Show at Kinsmen Auditorium this weekend, The Downtown Chatham Centre and more.

Donation Items Needed
* Canned meats and fish
* Beans with pork
* Powdered milk
* Canned fruits and vegetables
* Dried foods
* Macaroni and cheese dinners
* Canned stews
* Rice and pasta
* Cereals
* Peanut butter
* Baking products
* Spices
* Toothpaste
* Soap
* Shampoo
* Baby powder
* Diapers
* Deodorant
* Razors
* Feminine products

ANYTHING you can donate is much appreciated !

They are needing sturdy metal shelving, a walk-in cooler and freezer, chest freezers, a forklift and pallets, and furniture and electronics for the office (computers, fax machine, phones etc).

Hunger’s Executive Director Brenda LeClair can be reached by e-mail at bjl@ciaccess.com. She indicated that monetary donations can be made at TD Canada Trust on King Street. Just be sure to mention your name and phone number so a tax receipt can be issued to you.

COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE FOR THE OUTREACH FOR HUNGER!!

HELP TO FILL THE COMMUNITY CIRCLE AT THE DOWNTOWN CHATHAM CENTRE!!

The Downtown Chatham Centre is pleased to host an on-going food drive, starting today, to help replenish the shelves at the Outreach for Hunger Food Bank after last nights devastating fire.

Please bring all donations to The Downtown Chatham Centre and drop them off  in the Community Circle in front of Sears and we will see how long it takes to fill the circle.

The Food bank is now in need of all items, either food or everyday items like shampoo, toothpaste, water.

Everyone in Chatham-Kent knows what a valuable and much-needed service the Food Bank provides our citizens and they need our help.

Please donate, it’s easy and convenient.

Mall hours: Monday-Wednesday: 9:30-6, Thursday and Friday: 9:30-9, Saturday: 9:30-6, and Sunday noon-5.

Let’s all show what a generous and caring community Chatham-Kent really is!!

For further information, please contact: Lynn O’Brien-General Manager of Downtown Chatham Centre at 519-351-1271 X-227

Or email: lobrien@ivanhoecambridge.com