The combination of music, laughter and sunshine created a celebratory atmosphere at Auberge Richelieu Saturday morning as hundreds of volunteers gathered to show support for Welland’s 19th annual food drive.
The first vehicle filled with non-perishables collected from the community was welcomed at Richelieu with cheers and applause from volunteers waiting to fill empty boxes for The Hope Centre, Open Arms Mission and the Salvation Army.
And the food continued to arrive in overloaded vehicles all morning.
“Welland has outdone itself,” says food drive co-ordinator, Monique Finley. “The food gathered on Saturday was of such proportions it frankly caught us off guard. We could have used more storage boxes.”
Volunteer Janet Kenneey, a “food drive newbie” says she didn’t realize how busy the morning was going to be.
It was Kenneey’s first year helping with the food drive, and she brought her 7-year-old daughter, Karlie, along as well.
“I didn‘t think it would be this busy,” she says. “I was very surprised.”
Karlie, and her friend Victoria Avelar,7, were working on earning their community badge for Brownies and Kenneey says they “kept going and going all morning.”
“They didn’t stop,” she says. “They were loading boxes, carrying food and joined in everything. They were kept busy and I think they’re pooped now.”
Kenneey says she brought the girls to the food drive so they could “learn about the community and see what needs to be done to help out.”
She plans to take them to the Hope Centre so they can see a food bank in person and “learn more about the need in the community.”
Hope Centre’s food security co-ordinator, Gina Couldery says volunteers like Kenneey show how supportive the city can be.
“Welland is a great place. We have a wonderful community of people helping people,” she says. “The highlight of my day was having people in the community here to help. Everyone was excited and ready to go. It’s just amazing how we all got together to help.”
Couldery says although “it is rough times” the community “seems to be there for us when we ask for help.”
She says an increase in food donations this year shows the community is aware of the need to “help those suffering” in Welland.
“People are more aware,” she says. “It’s wonderful. This day is special and it turned out very nice. We even had great weather. A huge thank you to everybody. It was a good year. We’re really pleased.”
Finley is also pleased with the day’s turnout.
“A God given day weather wise matched a near miraculous level of food collected,” she says.
The November food drive is the main source of donations for all three of Welland’s food banks and the one day event can keep the shelves stocked for months. Those wishing to make non-perishable food donations through out the year can contact any of the agencies directly or visit http://www.wellandfooddrive.com/
Published in Niagara This Week (Welland Edition) - November 11, 2010
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