The case of the missing salsa – a negative turned positive!

By: Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter

Elizabeth Lahay, 12, is quite the little gardener. She loves to help her mom cook the food they grow together – especially her favourite – homemade salsa.

So much so, that the young entrpreneur came up with the idea that could sell the product at the stand that sits outside their home on County Rd. 2, in the Strong Road area.

Last weekend to her dismay, she discovered that someone had dropped by the stand and stolen two jars of salsa. The product which sells for $15 apiece, is available at the front of the house. They use the honour system and payment goes into a tin can.

“I went out to check the stand and discovered jars were gone, said mother Sherry Marchinko. “At first, I was delighted when I saw two jars were gone. However, when I checked the can, there was no money.”

Elizabeth was devastated. She was collecting money so she could but her sister a birthday present.

“I thought it was really rude,” she said. “It made me feel sad and upset.”

Mom took to social media to scold the salsa-bandit and the reaction has been overwhelming.

“Whoever stole the jars of salsa, way to go, you just made a 12-year-old cry…do better people,” read the post.

People were swift to react – shaming the culprit, and at the same time inquire about how to purchase their own jars of salsa. And the results have been amazing.

“Many people have had so many positive comments, people are stopping by and we’ve been busy selling salsa all morning,” she said. “It inspired us. Those tears of sadness turned to joy and we went back in the kitchen and cooked up another batch.”

Elizabeth helps to grow all the tomatoes as well and pick and prepare them to make the salsa.

“She’s quite the little gardener. She helped to plant and watch them grow. She’s starting to understand the growth cycle and inspect for pests.” Sherry added.

Sherry says it’s a great way for them to spend mother/daughter time together in the kitchen.

“It gives us a common interest…teaching the skinning of the tomatoes and the cooking and canning process.”

She says that she was upset for her daughter.

“It hurt that someone would do this…it’s a tough lesson to learn, but you have to take a chance.” she said “However, we were able to take this negative and turn it into a positive. I was touched see how fast the community reacted. Thank you for the support.”