The All Hands on Deck Food Drive brought together residents, businesses, sponsors and volunteers across Cobourg and Port Hope yesterday, helping replenish local food bank shelves ahead of the back-to-school season.
Donations were collected at seven locations throughout the community, with Fare Share Food Bank among the organizations benefiting from the event.
Fare Share Executive Director Megan Flindall says the annual food drive has become an important part of the organization’s summer calendar, when food donations typically slow down.
Flindall says the response was immediately noticeable as she travelled between the different collection sites, with thousands of pounds of food coming in throughout the day.
She also credits the event’s many partners and volunteers for helping make a food drive of this size possible.
Flindall says she saw families, service clubs and businesses working together at collection locations, including McLean Chimney and the Cobourg Lions Club.
The donations are particularly valuable as families prepare for the return to school.
Flindall says Fare Share volunteers were already sorting through the donations today, finding plenty of items that can help with school lunches and family meals.
Fare Share says the support will help replenish its shelves and provide food for people experiencing food insecurity in the community.
Flindall says the organization is grateful to the sponsors who continue to support the annual tradition, as well as everyone who donated or volunteered during yesterday’s event.
Fare Share operates food banks in both Cobourg and Port Hope and continues to accept food and financial donations throughout the year.
