R2G Construction collects donations through social media challenge

R2G Construction Inc. and three more Fort Erie contractors collected 500 non-perishable food items for local food banks through a social media campaign, which counted one donated food item for each like, comment or share on their Facebook post announcing the campaign.

The effort reached its 500-item total through community participation and in partnership with Branched Out Carpentry, Integrity Construction Niagara and LC Designer Tiles, which jointly purchased the food from local grocers.

The idea originated from R2G Construction owner Katie Clarkson, who pitched the drive during the LC Designer Tiles Christmas party.

“I thought it was kind of cool because it shows that every single person has to contribute to make a difference. It had to be a whole bunch of people doing it to make a huge donation,” Clarkson told Fort Erie Radio.

The items will be distributed to local food banks, with final destinations to be confirmed once facilities reopen after the holidays. Food banks often receive large volumes of donations ahead of Christmas, but can face shortages once the holidays pass.

“The winter months are hard for everyone, especially with seasonal depression and everything that comes with it,” said Clarkson. “Even having the burden of not being able to afford food during Christmas is especially hard.”

She said the contractors wanted all of the donations to stay in town because rising costs and winter expenses, such as heating, make accessing food more difficult for some households.

“We go in and out of people’s houses all the time for quotes and jobs, so the community really matters to us,” said Clarkson. “We see a lot of change, and we see a lot of need. It’s something we all wanted to do.”

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