EDITOR'S NOTE: The final total for food collected was $38,650 not $55,000 as was reported here
With the Christmas season in full swing, Elliot Lake residents dug into their pantries and donated to the local food bank for the 27th annual Elliot Lake Fire Services Christmas Food Drive.
The food drive came about to help those in need with the distribution of Christmas food hampers. Over 150 volunteers came together to collect and sort through the donations. The Elliot Lake Wildcats hockey team volunteered as well and put smiles on the faces of local children.
"They have great community spirit and help out anywhere they can when schedule permits," said Joanne Grise-Cassivi.
The event began at 10 a.m. Participants were asked to leave donations at their door. Boxes and bags were full and kept volunteers at Rio Den arena on their toes with sorting.
John Greene, volunteer firefighter, said the community has great spirit.
"It's great to see the amount of food and such collected," he said. "I love seeing the community spirit."
Walking into Rio Den Arena, volunteers were shocked to see how much food was collected.
"It's amazing seeing how much the community has come together to help those less fortunate," said volunteer Sarah McDermitt. "This will help stock the shelves for sure. I love helping because I was in this situation years ago and I received help. This time, I want to give back and help those that are in need."
This year, over $55,000 worth of food, personal hygiene products and cash donations were given for the emergency food bank.
Elliot Lake Emergency Food Bank volunteer Sarah Mills expressed her many thanks to the volunteers for making the food drive a success.
"I want to say a great big thank you to so many people from our city who came out today to support the Christmas Hamper program," she explained. "All those people who worked alongside the firemen collecting the food, the Wildcats who picked up groceries and then stayed to sort – Just thanks everyone."
One resident in particular, George Campbell, said he donates as much as he can when can to the food bank because "you just never know if you'll need it."
"I hit hard times about 10 years ago when my wife passed away and I had lost my job," he said. "I relied on the food bank. Now it's my turn to give back."
As of yet, the food bank serves more than 300 people and with the Christmas season, that number rises.
Mayor Dan Marchisella was even on deck with volunteering with his children.
"This is fun and gives the community a chance to see what other residents are doing," he said. "This is great."
The Emergency Food Bank is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m until 12 p.m and then again from 1 p.m until 3 p.m.