First responders are always there when you need them and, for some 40 years, at the holiday time of year, they have come out in force to collect food, toys and other needed items at their annual Food and Toy Drive, working with the Salvation Army for those in need.
Every year, they step up to help the Salvation Army Food Bank by holding their annual Food and Toy Drive throughout Saugeen Shores to help families, particularly heading into the Holiday season.
“The continuing support of the community is nothing short of amazing,” says Lorne Currie (Saugeen Shores Fire Service ret’d), founder and long-time coordinator of the annual holiday Food and Toy Drive in Saugeen Shores.
The drive is a unique combined effort with Saugeen Shores Police Service, Fire Service and EMS Paramedics.
This year, although a final total is not yet in, it appears that the campaign was again a resounding success on Saturday, November 23rd, thanks to the generosity of the community and the first responders who volunteered their time.
Responders were at four locations, Southampton Foodland and in Port Elgin at Mowbray’s Canadian Tire, Vanderwerf’s Independent Grocer and WalMart.
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Ackert Construction donated the services of their trailer that stopped at each location and that was soon filled from top to bottom with food, toys, household items, clothing and more. Everything was brought in to the Port Elgin Food Bank location to be weighed and documented, with cash having to be counted and tap-card donations to be tallied.
Many of the clients are on fixed incomes such as Ontario Works and Ontario Disability (ODP) and many are people who are in temporary housing through the YMCA because they cannot find affordable housing in the area. The toll is climbing from young people on their own to seniors, and now those who are considered the ‘working poor’, those who work but where the majority of their income goes toward rent.
Cash donations were also welcomed through the kettle program at each location. The benefits of the cash donations means that the Food Bank is able to leverage the funds to purchase in bulk and to also buy those items that are running out.
As the Drive began on Saturday morning, the Mowbray family of Canadian Tire in Port Elgin, well known for their support of the community, had their staff begin to bring out carts filled with games to snow sliders, blankets to gloves – something to make Christmas morning special for every age.
“We are so proud and grateful for the work that these men and women of our first responders do in our community.” said owner Mike Mowbray. “So we are more than pleased to help them out for this worthy cause, particularly this year when it seems that times are even more difficult for families just struggling to get by.”
The food donations were delivered to the Salvation Army Food Bank where everything is weighed and documented. Although a final number is not yet in, at last count hundreds of pounds of food were donated along with hygiene items and baby needs such as diapers.
The Toys and ‘fun’ items were delivered to the Powerlink building at Mary and Goderich Streets in Port Elgin where Andrew Hill donated an area where everything will be divided into age appropriate categories for parents who, on a registered list, will be able to ‘shop’ for their children. It’s a first-time concept that, according to organizers, will ensure that parents can provide appropriate gifts for their children.
A final count of food weight and cash donation will be determined and reported when finalized.
