First responders are always there when you need them and, for almost 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.
On Saturday, November 23rd (2024), they seemed to be everywhere. From Mowbray’s Canadian Tire to WalMart, Vanderwerf’s Independent Grocer to Southampton Foodland, the Saugeen Shores Police, Fire Service and Bruce County Paramedics had all the bases covered for collection.
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According to those on the front line at each location, the generosity of the community was overwhelming. At WalMart, customers donated not only food and toys, but clothing such as new shoes and winter coats. Independent Grocer ran out of pre-made bags for purchase and had to make up more to meet the demand.
Although final totals are not yet in, approximately 4,000 lbs. of food along with personal hygiene items were weighed in at the Salvation Army Food Bank until they almost ran out of space.
“This is absolutely amazing,” said Alice Wannan, Salvation Army Manager, as she received bag upon bag of food non-stop. “This year the numbers using our service are way up so this is truly going to make a difference.”
Fortunately, Andrew Hill of the Powerlink building at Mary and Goderich Streets in Port Elgin donated a large spacious room to house the toys and clothing collected, where IOTA Phi lady volunteers will begin the sorting according to ages and gender this week.
While many people donated food, toys and clothing, others also gave dropped money into the Salvation Army kettles at each site. That total has not yet been determned.
