They say many hands make light work, and Helping Hands Society of Cochrane and Area is looking for a few more hands to help lighten its load at the upcoming Fall Food Drive.
They say many hands make light work, and Helping Hands Society of Cochrane and Area is looking for a few more hands to help lighten its load at the upcoming Fall Food Drive.
“We're hoping for about 500 volunteers the day of the drive, ” said executive director Jackie Shier. “We're always looking for more volunteers, especially in those new communities that are growing so fast: Riversong, Fireside and Sunset Ridge. ”
Cochrane's two food drives - one in the spring, and the second next Saturday, Sept. 16 - bring in as much as 90 per cent of items needed to fill annual hampers for the Cochrane Activettes Food Bank. In 2016, 971 hampers were given out to approximately 2,500 people.
Shier said the organization receives requests for hampers from dozens of local families at this time of year, as kids go back to school in need of new shoes, supplies and more. For parents already stretched to the financial limit, those additional costs can often end up coming out of their budget for meals.
“September, typically we see an increase in the number of requests for assistance, ” said Shier. “All of those things putting a strain on (families') finances … Maybe they don't have enough to make ends meet. ”
In August 2016, the Activettes filled 77 hampers. This year, likely due to population growth in town and a continued provincial economic downturn, that number jumped to 100.
It's those sobering statistics that Shier says highlights the critical importance of the annual fall food drive, which will culminate next Saturday at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre.
Last year's event was the most successful to date, with 1,100 crates of donated food picked up from doorsteps and collection boxes around town.
Despite the impressive showing, Shier said the number still represents only one in three Cochrane families who contribute - and she'd love to see that change this year.
“Remember to donate. Remind your neighbours, ” she said. “In a lot of communities … a lot of people aren't aware of what's going on. ”
Shier said another way to help is is to volunteer - a positive and impactful way to connect with people's own families in the spirit of giving.
“We have a job for everyone, ” she said, adding children are even assigned jobs, which helps encourage their own understanding of the cause. “For kids … it's so wonderful that they can go out and serve in their communities. It's definitely a concrete way of helping. ”
Volunteer Cory Lahoda has participated in the food drive with her daughter Paige since she was two or three years old. This year, Paige will be 11 - adding up to nearly a decade of collecting donations at people's doors, hauling foodstuffs from vehicles and sorting boxes and cans.
“I think it's an eye-opening thing. We talk about, ‘Not everyone has what we have.' (It's) a chance to do something for others, ” said Lahoda, adding it's also a ton of fun for Paige and her young friends. “It's short, it's not a huge time commitment. I would definitely suggest getting them involved at any age. ”
The drive gets underway Saturday morning, with residents asked to fill bags with food and leave them on their doorsteps for pickup. Sorting begins about 10:30 a.m. in the Totem 3 arena.
Volunteers are asked to register at [email protected] or (587) 580-9448.
