The Port Dover Lions have launched their annual May food drive for the Port Dover Lifeline Food Bank.
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“This is our official kickoff – we’re letting everyone know this is the start of our food drive,” said Pam Harwood, chair of the Port Dover Lions food drive Wednesday morning at the Elmer Lewis Parkette on Main Street.
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“Today we have music playing and we have the old fire truck, just to draw people’s attention. We’re trying to get people to honk, but they’re not cooperating,” she laughed.
The goal is to raise $40,000 for the Port Dover food bank in food and monetary donations.
Every Saturday and Sunday in May, the Lions will have a designated drop-off spot for donations. Saturdays it’s at BB Fuels, and on Sundays it’s at Roulston’s, 11 am to 4 pm both days.
Cash or check donations can be made at the Port Dover Scotiabank, and on Saturdays at the Lions Silver Lake Market. Cash donations will also be accepted at the LCBO, Urban Parisian, Dover Dairy Bar, Stoney’s Home Hardware, and Lakeside Savings.
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Special non-perishable food donation boxes will be available at the Lions Silver Lake Market, and No Frills.
Online donations can be made at www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/port-dover-and-area-life-line-food-bank. Tax receipts are available.
Harwood said students at St. Cecilia School, who collect donations for the food bank throughout the year, are making an ‘extra special’ effort in May.
“The kids are involved, corporations, and we have donation boxes in most of the stores,” said Harwood. “It’s a great community.”
Kevin Ryan, chair of the Port Dover Lifeline Food Bank board, said the Lions food drive is important for the community, carrying on the legacy of Lion Harry Smith.
“It’s our major food drive every spring,” Ryan said. “The Lions Club has been a big supporter of the food bank, as well as all the other businesses in town that have been very generous. People have been very, very generous in the community.”
The food bank’s clientele has increased in recent months, he said. From January-April the food bank has served nearly 350 clients with 20-25 clients coming in every two weeks.
“You can see it as inflation goes up, and the price of groceries… we have clients who are just trying to make ends meet.”
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