Hungry this Easter? Look no further; Sharfio Aid Family Foundation launch Easter Food Drive

BY PAUL JUNOR

The Sharfio Aid Family Foundation has made a positive difference in the lives of families in the Greater Toronto Area since it was established and incorporated in 2013.

Sherine Ankle, who serves as their Chief Executive Officer along with her five board members, founded it. The foundation was named in honour of her two daughters, Shardea, who serves as a treasurer, and Fiona who serves as its secretary.

I interviewed Sherene on Thursday, April 7^th, 2022, and she shared with me many details about the vision, mission, and core values of the foundation. She told me what motivated her to start the foundation was from an experience she had as a bus driver for the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). She described how one day she encountered a lady in distress on the bus. This lady was invited to Canada by a man under the guise of a visitor only to be exploited. The man who was married to someone and became destitute impregnated her. Sherine took her information and raised $150 from her co-workers, which enabled her to buy food and clothes.

Sherine has been involved in different initiatives within the Church community, which prompted her to start her own foundation. Sharifo was founded to aid individuals and families most likely to be at risk. The objectives are to improve the quality of life for those individuals.

The foundation’s vision statement is “To help, to improve and sustain the quality of life for those individuals and families who are more likely to be at risk, and to provide the infrastructure opportunities for those individuals to improve their circumstances.”

Their mission statement is inclusive and far-reaching which is “To relieve poverty and suffering amongst the most vulnerable and to promote and sustain positive change.” It is the core values of the foundation that captures the essence of what this group really represents in its quest to help those who are needy in society.

Its core values encompass a belief that all human beings are entitled to the quality of life. That it is our human responsibility to make every effort to ensure that those in need are provided with equal opportunities to change their life conditions with: food, nutrition, safe housing, clothing, and education. These are essential to changing life circumstances as well as increasing the likelihood that the individuals are able to provide for themselves in the future.

Over the years, the foundation has participated in the following: Back-to-School Drive, Christmas grocery initiatives, Food Truck, Community Kitchen, Brain Gain: After School Tutoring Program, and a Scholarship Program. One of the exciting initiatives that Sherine shared with me is its Easter Grocery Drive that it will be having on Saturday, April 16^th, and Sunday, April 17^th, 2022, between 11:30 am – 5:00 pm at the Mississauga Convention Centre located at 75 Derry Road West. This was made through a financial grant from Second Harvest.

In addition, Sacredhand Canada will be providing 500 hot meals. Currently, there have been over 400 registrations from over the GTA.

For information visit:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesharfioaidfamilyfoundation

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesharfioaid/