Beth Carhart from Nunniyer Business Accounting in Williamsburg knows a lot about giving back to her community. Back in 2007, she started an initiative called “Help Our Homeless”, which fills bags of essential items for the homeless and less fortunate. The program started in Nepean, where Beth’s accounting business has another branch, and then was introduced to Dundas County a few years ago.
Beth explained that 100% of the administrative costs of running the “Help Our Homeless” initiative are paid by her company, Nunniyer Business Accounting. “And so 100% of the money and items go out, there isn’t even a penny that doesn’t go out in the backpacks,” she explained.
While the idea behind the initiative is to support homeless people, many of the local bags are distributed to Naomi’s Family Resource Centre or at area hospitals, where the recipient is not necessarily “homeless” in the traditional sense of the word. The bags are provided to Community Food Share, and staff determine where they are most needed from there.
Beth explained that what inspired her to start up this initiative was her desire to give back to those in need in the year that her dad died. She got the idea from a former roommate who used to fill backpacks for kids in need.
After putting out a call for assistance, Beth became acquainted with a woman named Judy. Together, Beth and Judy decided that it was best to fill bags and give them to an organization that could distribute them to those in need, since it’s otherwise difficult to know where or to whom the bags should be dropped off. Sadly, Judy passed away last year, but Beth has kept the tradition going along with a new helper, Barb, who donates truckloads of items from social media “buy nothing” groups. Barb also donates toiletries from people who have collected complimentary items during hotel stays, and these are used to make toiletry bags.
Due to her and Barb both being disabled, they decided to take a break one year, but the guilt ate away at them, and they realized that they needed to keep this initiative going.
“The community here is so awesome,” added Beth. “I am always amazed by people”. She notes that when she puts a call out for needed items, “stuff just starts showing up”. Many clients of Nunniyer Business Accounting donate to the cause as well, and the proceeds from a euchre tournament held the second Saturday of every month are donated to the cause as well.
This season, the spirit of giving is alive and well!