The Elliot Lake Volunteer Firefighters Association’s annual Food Drive to benefit the local Food Bank brought in over $15,000 Saturday.
The Association drive traditionally is done on a door-to-door collection of non-perishable food items. Due to this year’s COVID-19 restrictions, the Association decided to have the campaign as a drive thru at the parking lot of the former Lester B. Pearson. People were asked to donate money using cash, cheque or debit instead of food.
“Between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. we raised just over $15,000, with a few ‘late arrivals’ getting dropped off at the fire hall after we packed up at the Civic Centre,” said Association president William Elliott. “While everyone missed the door-to-door food drive, they were all appreciative that the Fire Department (with the help of the City) found a way to once again support the Elliot Lake Emergency Food Bank at this critical time of the year.”
There were eight fire fighters, one City Councillor (Sandy Finamore) and approximately a half dozen Food Bank volunteers working the food drive.
“There was “drive thru” service so no one had to exit their vehicle, the Departments 95’ aerial ladder truck was on display, and Sparky the Fire Safety dog worked hard to make sure people knew something was going on,” Elliott added.
“Over the past two years that I have been involved with this event, firefighters have raised over $30,000 in food product and cash donations,” said Len Kutchaw president of the Elliot Lake Food Bank said in an earlier interview with ElliotLakeToday.
Currently, the food bank has 365 hampers registered and expects that to increase to around 500 by the time hampers are ready for delivery or pick up. Any food or funds left over after the hampers are done will be used to restock the shelves at the food bank, Kutchaw said.
Those who plan to make a donation can make one directly to the food bank with hours of operation Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. It is located at 4 Charles Walk across from the LCBO.