The First Responders’ annual Food and Toy Drive for the local Salvation Army Food Bank in Saugeen Shores was a resounding success on Saturday, December 9th, thanks to the generosity of the community and the first responders who volunteered their time.
They were at four locations, Southampton Foodland and in Port Elgin at Vanderwerf’s Independent Grocer, Canadian Tire and WalMart.
At Southampton’s Foodland, volunteer firefighters donated their time to help out the EMS and Salvation Army.
“It’s important for the community to come together especially at this time of year,” said Foodland owner, Martino Catalano. “Many families are finding it difficult this year in particular so it’s important to help out the Food Bank.”
Many customers purchased pre-prepared bags of food to drop off as they left the store while others chose to donate cash to the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle program. “We can’t believe how generous people are,” said the volunteers.
The aerial ladder truck was an instant draw for motorists who were passing by and Paul Shular, who has been a volunteer firefighter for 25 years, brought his young son Dean along.
Toward the end of the Food Drive, a sudden alarm sounded and firefighters and trucks were off to answer the call … just another instance of how the volunteers are always at the ready.
