Susie Kockerscheidt
Twins Jake and Nick Riddell of Keswick check out a fire truck with Cpt. John Langevin (left), and new firefighter Tim Lawrence during the fire hall’s open house.
Georgina
October 01, 2008 08:26 PM
The annual Thanksgiving Food Drive is under way and the need continues to be great.
About 70 families a week rely on the charity and the shelves are getting depleted, Georgina Community Food Pantry director Alf Judd said.
“We’re getting down quite a bit. It’s sparse,” he said. “The numbers are remaining, although there is usually a surge toward the end of the month before they get their cheques.”
Mr. Judd, a longtime volunteer, took over as director from Mary Queen, who died after a car crash earlier this year.
There is an ongoing need for non-perishable staples, canned vegetables, brown beans, canned fish, lentils, rice, macaroni and cheese, powdered or canned milk, stew, soup, baby formula and food, pasta, tomato sauce and fresh produce such as potatoes.
“We go through about 300 jars of peanut butter a month. That’s always needed,” he said.
There has been an increase in food bank use by single young people, he added.
Food donations can be placed in a brown bag distributed in Sunday’s Era Banner and dropped off at local supermarkets, Sunday church services and fire halls until the drive ends Oct. 17.
The food bank also needs volunteers, especially someone to help out with clerical duties, helping fill out forms and interviewing clients. Volunteers are also needed for the upcoming Christmas hamper program.
Food is distributed every Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the headquarters on Lake Drive in Jackson’s Point.
Anyone who would like to volunteer or donate can call Mr. Judd at 905-476-2814.