Smiths Falls service clubs are celebrating the success of their first-ever joint food drive in support of the Smiths Falls Community Food Bank.
The Rotary Club of Smiths Falls, Kinsmen Club of Smiths Falls, along with the Legion, Lions and Civitan Clubs, teamed up for the largest combined service club food drive effort in the town’s history.
Together, volunteers collected $9,392 in cash, and 339 pounds of food over the two-day campaign at local grocery stores.
The Rotary Club’s Tracy Staples, a key organizer, says they couldn’t be more proud of the results.
The Kinsmen’s Wayne Steggles also helped get the clubs working together on the effort. He says the rewards went beyond the food collected.
The Smiths Falls Community Food Bank’s Valerie Engelhardt says the Service Club’s Food Drive is quite timely.
Organizers say the collaboration grew out of regular meetings between service clubs looking for ways to make a bigger impact together.
They credit strong support from local businesses, volunteers and residents, calling the inaugural drive a proud moment of unity and community spirit in Smiths Falls.
They wish to thank all who made it happen including donors and volunteers. They’d also like to thank the four grocery stores that hosted them: Jonsson’s Independent, Garden Market, Giant Tiger, and Food Basics.
