The CP Holiday Train rolled into the Barrie area on Friday afternoon with an early Christmas gift for local food banks in tow.
While many residents attended to see Scott Helman and Madeline Merlo perform some of their hits at the stop, the event coincided with the kick off for the Barrie Food Bank’s Christmas Holiday Food Drive, where this year's goal is to collect 200,000 pounds of food.
“It’s a little higher than last year’s goal. We’re hopeful,” said Peter Sundborg, executive director of the Barrie Food Bank.
During a stop in Midhurst, CP brought a financial donation of $3,000 each for the Elmvale & District Food Bank and Barrie Food Bank, and families in attendance brought in-kind donations.
The Barrie Food Bank need continues to be consistent, distributing approximately 80,000 pounds of food each month, but the need is rising.
“We had our biggest month ever in October. We had 3,300 people come through our doors. It was our busiest month ever in our history of 35 years,” said Sundborg. “It’s concerning because we want to make sure there is enough food for everybody.”
There are eight grocery stores in Barrie with donation bins, including the Wellington Plaza No Frills, Zehrs, Centra Food Market and Metro. Donations are also accepted at the Barrie Food Bank on Anne Street.
“It doesn’t matter the size of the donation. Big or small, it all goes toward making sure everyone has food on the table, particularly during the holidays but also going into the new year,” he said.
The most needed items at the food bank include peanut butter, canned stew, canned luncheon meats, juices, rice, baby food and formula, canned tuna, mayonnaise, canned vegetables, soups, can pasta, macaroni, school snacks, sugar, flour, pancake mix, condiments such as ketchup and mustard and personal hygiene products like soap, shampoo, toothpaste and feminine products.
Financial donations are always welcomed.
For more information on the Barrie Food Bank and how you can help, click here.
