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MNM film raises nearly $4,000 for food banks

March 10, 2017   ·   0 Comments

By Marni Walsh

Nearly 500 pounds of food and $4000 in cash was raised recently at “Monday Night at the Movies” for local food banks when over 450 people came out to view the film I, Daniel Blake, in support of the effort.

There were three screenings Feb. 27 at the Orangeville Galaxy Cinema of the film directed by Ken Loach with screenplay by Paul Laerty. I, Daniel Blake won the Palme d’Or at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.

I, Daniel Blake is a film about the challenges facing people in need of social services. Andrea Stewart said the organization teamed up with local food banks “to give support to members of our own community who are in need.” Donations of both cash and non-perishable food items were accepted on Monday night.

MNM in Orangeville is run by a dedicated committee of volunteers, including Andrea Stewart who says the group has “screened over 200 films at the Orangeville Galaxy, donated the DVDs to local libraries, hosted fundraisers and provided Commencement Awards at three local secondary schools.”

Prior to the screening, Heather Hayes, Executive Director of the Orangeville Food Bank addressed some of the issues the food bank faces each month as they struggle to service approximately 500 Orangeville and area residents a month, providing over 173,000 lbs of food a year with community donations and volunteer staff, while shouldering a building rental bill of $5200 a month. “I have been told this is a hard movie to watch,” said Ms. Hayes, “but our intake volunteers hear these stories everyday.”

“We so appreciate the effort of Monday Night at the Movies,” said Ms. Hayes and the “continued generosity of the community. The film had such an impact on people myself included,” she added. “You could see how people felt after having viewed the film, appreciating some of the challenges that we know people experience every day.”

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