Several months of planning, promoting and working hard to create awareness of the need for food in Welland paid off last Saturday with a day of generosity that exceeded the food drive committee’s hopes.
A bit of an early morning chill didn’t stop volunteers from arriving at Auberge Richelieu as soon as the sun rose to get ready for the day. Empty transport trucks stood still while boxes and tables were quickly set up in anticipation of the bounty expected.
This was my fourth time volunteering in the midst of the food drive chaos and I think this year was the busiest ever. For several hours straight I directed traffic and didn’t get a chance to sit down once. And I’m not complaining. The busier I was gave a clear indication of how much food was coming in. So the busier the better.
Vehicles were arriving packed to capacity- and a few even had to make a second trip out to complete food pick up at homes on their designated routes. Volunteers were rushing to empty all the vehicles as soon as they arrived, but at some points there was so much food that a few traffic jams occurred. But, again, I’m not complaining.
I watched children working just as hard as the adults around them. I met families sorting food together as a way to help their community. I observed volunteers filling boxes and passing bags of donations across tables with smiles on their faces.
It is events like the November food drive that remind me no matter how bad any situation can be there are people willing to help. The residents of Welland have compassion and empathy; and they showed up by the hundreds to help their neighbours.
I was exhausted by the time the last few cars rolled in to drop off their collections. But, like I’ve said before, I’m not complaining.
By the end of the day the Hope Centre, Open Arms Mission and the Salvation Army had trucks weighed down with more food donations than they have received in several years. Their pantry shelves will have food to share with the city’s hungry for several months, at least.
We could dwell on the fact that it is unfortunate events such as the Welland food drive have to exist. We can complain about the fact that need for food donations have increased. But you won’t hear me complain, at least not today. I’d rather focus on a more positive fact. Our community has the ability, power and the desire to make a difference, and last weekend it did just that.
Published in Welland Tribune - November 15, 2010
A bit of an early morning chill didn’t stop volunteers from arriving at Auberge Richelieu as soon as the sun rose to get ready for the day. Empty transport trucks stood still while boxes and tables were quickly set up in anticipation of the bounty expected.
This was my fourth time volunteering in the midst of the food drive chaos and I think this year was the busiest ever. For several hours straight I directed traffic and didn’t get a chance to sit down once. And I’m not complaining. The busier I was gave a clear indication of how much food was coming in. So the busier the better.
Vehicles were arriving packed to capacity- and a few even had to make a second trip out to complete food pick up at homes on their designated routes. Volunteers were rushing to empty all the vehicles as soon as they arrived, but at some points there was so much food that a few traffic jams occurred. But, again, I’m not complaining.
I watched children working just as hard as the adults around them. I met families sorting food together as a way to help their community. I observed volunteers filling boxes and passing bags of donations across tables with smiles on their faces.
It is events like the November food drive that remind me no matter how bad any situation can be there are people willing to help. The residents of Welland have compassion and empathy; and they showed up by the hundreds to help their neighbours.
I was exhausted by the time the last few cars rolled in to drop off their collections. But, like I’ve said before, I’m not complaining.
By the end of the day the Hope Centre, Open Arms Mission and the Salvation Army had trucks weighed down with more food donations than they have received in several years. Their pantry shelves will have food to share with the city’s hungry for several months, at least.
We could dwell on the fact that it is unfortunate events such as the Welland food drive have to exist. We can complain about the fact that need for food donations have increased. But you won’t hear me complain, at least not today. I’d rather focus on a more positive fact. Our community has the ability, power and the desire to make a difference, and last weekend it did just that.
Published in Welland Tribune - November 15, 2010
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