Smiths Falls showed once again how quickly the community can rally when neighbours need a hand.
The Saumure Group of Companies 92.3 WOW FM All Hands on Deck Food Drive wrapped up Thursday after collecting an impressive 1,215 pounds of food and $3,893.85 in cash donations for the Smiths Falls Community Food Bank.
Held at Jonsson’s Independent Grocer, this year’s drive had a strong back-to-school focus, arriving at an important time for local families. The grocer also made an incredible donation of $2,000, the later added another $700.
Sylvie Johnsson told us staff at her store assembled lunch bags filled with back to school snacks for lunches, and other essentials.
The bags were $10. Overall 200 were donated over the course of the drive.
Smiths Falls Community Food Bank Executive Director Natalia Soteroff praised the idea.
Soteroff says August can be one of the most challenging months of the year so the food drive comes at the perfect time.
Donations traditionally slow during the summer as people travel and regular routines change, but the need does not disappear.
Smiths Falls Police Service Constable Sean Keogan dropped by to lend a hand and was impressed with the show of support.
Soteroff was grateful to all who made it happen.
The Food Bank is purchasing large amounts of food every week to keep shelves stocked and meet demand.
Cash donations are especially valuable because they allow the food bank to buy fresh staples that may not arrive through traditional food donations, including milk, meat, bread and eggs.
Throughout the six-hour drive, listeners, businesses and community members stopped by with food, cash, gift cards and basic essentials while the WOW FM team broadcast from the site.
The event was made possible with support from title sponsor The Saumure Group of Companies, Power Hour sponsor North & Bun, and truck sponsor Hanks Tirecraft. Their Dave Flemming said signing up to help the food bank was an easy decision.
By the time the final donations were counted, the community had delivered thousands of dollars and more than half a tonne of food at a time when many in Smiths Falls need the boost.
The first 92.3 WOW FM All Hands on Deck Food Drive proved that when the community is asked to lend a hand, Smiths Falls is ready to go all hands on deck.
