Left to right: RTO District 35 Secretary Patsy Norman, Dryden Food Bank Manager Al Huckabay, RTO District 35 President Carol Gardam. (Staff Photo)
District 35 Dryden of the Retired Teachers of Ontario and Educators is giving back to area food banks.
“We are donating to the Dryden Food Bank a thousand dollars and we’ve also donated to all the food banks within our district. Two hundred dollars to the Ignace Food Bank and five hundred each to the Out Of The Cold Food Bank in Sioux Lookout and the Red Lake Family Food Bank,” said President of RTO District 35 Dryden Carol Gardam.
Secretary Patsy Norman explains this year due to COVID-19, the group didn’t spend their travel or activity money and wanted to put it to good use.
“Usually we have a monthly luncheon and we would travel to meetings. So we had the money and we want to help people in need with it, feed the hungry, and that’s what we’re (RTO) about.”
The group made the presentation of a thousand dollars to Dryden Food Bank Manager Al Huckabay on Wednesday.
“We are very, very thankful for the RTO and District 35 and their support of what we do here, especially during the pandemic.”
President Gardam adds they’ve also used the excess money to donate to area long term care homes.
“We’ve donated the Canadian Mental Health Association Door and Wall Wraps Project at the Northwood Lodge Home for the Aged in Red Lake and the William A. George Extended Care Unit in Sioux Lookout. The CMHA is also partnering with the Princess Court Family Council, so we donated to that at Dryden’s Princess Court Long Term Care Home.”
The local RTO group introduced High School Bursaries this year to support graduating students.
Congratulations to:
Alison Griffiths-Dryden High School
Tya Dell-Sioux North District High School
Molly Munro-Red Lake District High School
No applicants at Ignace Public School
