Officials with East Wellington Community Services (EWCS) say the annual food drive sponsored by the Erin Station 10 firefighters made a difference again this year.
Firefighters collected food at the Santa Claus Parade on Nov. 22 and the community came out in full force, filling the red food drive van customized by firefighters for the parade.
“Wow. We have an amazing community … It is such a huge food drive for us – we can’t thank Charles, Laurence and those at Station 10 enough for their work in coordinating this each year in support of our food bank program,” said EWCS marketing and fund development manager Erika Westcott.
“The annual Station 10 Erin firefighters food drive is a huge event for us each year and really helps us to fill our shelves at Christmas and as we head into the New Year.
“Last year, with their help and kindness, matched by a truly outstanding local community that is always so generous in donating to this drive, they helped raise over 4,155 pounds of food and $3,747 in cash, cheques and gift cards,” said Westcott.
“This really helped us get through the winter months in being able to provide food support to those in the community. The partnership that the fire fighters and our agency have mean so much because we’re both looking to help our neighbors and to help those in the community to be safe – we couldn’t do what we do without partnerships like this.” said Westcott.
EWCS care coordinator Alyssa Cunningham added, “With the need continuing to increase in the community, food drives like this are especially important. I can’t imagine how EWCS could support so many without food drives and the donations we receive.
“It is just such an important program for so many in our community who rely on the food bank to have enough to eat.”
The Station 10 firefighters food drive continued throughout December, with donations being collected at Valu-Mart, the Erin EWCS office and participating businesses.
