“Those who have came through big,” says Salvation Army Major

Community members opened their hearts once more to help their neighbours in need.

The weather cooperated nicely as the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Fire Department with the assistance of the OPP and EMS as well as a multitude of volunteers headed out on December 7 to collect food from the community to stock the Salvation Army Food Bank.

There were also several drop-off points where people could donate non-perishable food.

Things started off a little slow, which had Salvation Army Major Neil Evenden a little worried. “It started off a little slow and we were a little concerned but as the night rolled on, the pace picked up and it appears that we have done better than last year by a little bit. And especially with food prices going up, we’re really pleased with that. Those who we help are having to stretch their dollar even further with the high inflation that we have at the moment, but those who have came through big and made sure that we have a good stock.”

Evenden said the food collected will help fill the shelves of the Salvation Army Food Bank. “We have a good stock and this stock will last us right through, probably to June, July, August.” He also said monetary donations received through the Christmas season will help the Salvation Army buy perishable food and any gaps in items needed.

All of the non-perishable food donations received as part of the food drive will be sorted over the next four days and stored. Next comes the toy drive for the kids. The OPP will be out at Walmart and Canadian Tire this Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. collecting new and unwrapped toy donations. “We really appreciate the work that happens there,” said Evenden.

While he was not comfortable trying to quantify by weight the amount of non-perishable food donated via the food drive, Evenden did venture that there are about 24 large Gaylord boxes full of food, which he estimated can hold about 1,500 pounds each.

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