OSHaRE Recognized for Its Vital Role in Community Support and Hunger Relief
Grey County Council highlights the essential work of Owen Sound Hunger and Relief Effort's staff and 140 volunteers, who provided community members over 212,000 meals in 2024 alone.
Grey County Council formally recognized the Owen Sound Hunger and Relief Effort (OSHaRE) for its outstanding contributions to hunger relief and community outreach during its March 27 meeting.
Grey County Warden Andrea Matrosovs and Paramedic Chief Kevin McNab presented a certificate of appreciation to OSHaRE Executive Director Colleen Trask-Seaman, commending the organization’s leadership and collaboration with the Supportive Outreach Services (SOS) program.
Founded in 2013, OSHaRE has become a cornerstone of community support in Owen Sound. In 2024 alone, the organization delivered more than 212,000 meals, including school lunches and family dinners. Its work relies on a team of seven staff and over 140 volunteers, who collectively contributed 14,700 hours last year.
OSHaRE also plays a key role in the SOS program, which launched in 2021 to reach individuals facing barriers to traditional health and social services. Since 2024, OSHaRE has hosted the Owen Sound SOS market at its facility. The building offers not only meals but also private rooms where paramedics, nurse practitioners, doctors, and mental health professionals deliver care directly to community members.
“We never thought we would be serving 25,000 meals in a month, or that we would have a room in our facility where amazing nurses, paramedics, mental health professionals, a nurse practitioner and a doctor come together to serve our community,” said Trask-Seaman.
“We’re humbled to be a small part of an incredible team of professionals from so many different services who choose to come together in the true spirit of collaboration to care for our neighbours.”
Chief McNab praised OSHaRE’s reliability, especially during emergencies. “One morning we had to evacuate a bunch of people in an emergency,” he said. “I called OSHaRE at five in the morning and we had breakfast for everyone by seven.”
In addition to meal services, OSHaRE partners with the Salvation Army to support Grey Bruce Food Share. Together, they recover surplus food from local grocery stores and businesses, redistributing it across the community. Each month, OSHaRE also prepares and delivers 160 ‘good food’ boxes filled with fresh fruits and vegetables.
The organization continues to provide meals for SOS markets in both Owen Sound and Hanover, playing a vital role in a broader network of care for individuals facing homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges.
To learn more about OSHaRE’s work or to get involved, visit oshare.ca.
Unfortunate OSHaRE is needed but the support provided by this organization and the army of volunteers to bring some hope into the lives of our most vulnerable residents is so important. A well earned recognition.