13-year-old sings in Gore Park to fundraise for the food bank

Before Lennox Tidgwell was born, his dad was out of work and his parents needed the help of a food bank to fill in the gaps. 

Now, the 13-year-old is spending a few evenings in Gore Park, now through Dec. 23, singing Christmas tunes with a jar out to raise money for Neighbour to Neighbour, a food bank on the Mountain.

"It's near Christmas, and I know there are a lot of things that a lot of people can't do or even have," he said. 

He raised $63.85 on Tuesday night and $77.65 Wednesday, according to a Facebook post from his dad, Ron Tidgwell. 

Donations down

The food bank is anticipating a $30,000 shortfall in donations this year if the current pace continues.

Food bank staff wonder if the relatively balmy temperatures are postponing people's pangs of compassion and holiday giving. 

They're hoping for even more creative ideas like Tidgwell's. One school group asked each student to bring in cash to cover the cost of a dozen eggs. Arcelor Mittal Dofasco set up a giving campaign where workers could donate straight from their paycheques.  

Neighbour to Neighbour said funds raised go to help collect toys and food, as well as tutoring and counselling programs. 

As for Tidgwell, he'll keep singing.

Besides his set Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., hes been known to busk at the corner of James and Wilson during Art Crawl.

He makes regular appearances at the karaoke spots in town, according to his grandmother, and he even caught the eye of an Ottawa music producer who heard part of his set outside an event during the Juno Awards in March. He and his parents say there's a project coming through that connection.

How to help

CBC Hamilton is collecting food and donations for the Hamilton Food Share food distribution system, which serves Neighbour to Neighbour, at our station, 118 James Street North in downtown Hamilton, until Dec. 22.

Here's a link if you'd like to donate directly to Neighbour to Neighbour.