Community relief for St. Jacobs Farmers' Market vendors announced

The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation (KWCF) has launched the St. Jacobs Farmers' Market Vendor Relief Fund to help vendors affected by the Labour Day fire that destroyed the main market building.

The KWCF is forming a steering committee to set guidelines on who is eligible for funds, how much a vendor will receive and how the funds would be accessed. In the coming weeks, details of how funds can be accessed and by whom will be released.

Conversations on starting a fundraiser started the day after the fire between the KWCF, Woolwich Township, Mercedes Corp., Home Hardware, the Barnraiser's Council, and volunteers including Dan Herman and Helen Kaluzny.

The initial damage estimate from last Monday's fire totals around $2 million. Some vendors reported they did not have insurance.

Region of Waterloo Chair Ken Seiling called the market a "great asset" and said he's confident the market will rebuild. However, he said the region was not planning to offer financial assistance.

Donations are now being accepted through an online portal.