Northumberland Thanksgiving food drive nets 8,119 pounds of food, essentials
By reporter Natalie Hamilton
A community effort will help place 6,766 meals on the table for people facing food insecurity following a Thanksgiving food drive for Northumberland Fare Share Food Bank.
Port Hope and Cobourg residents, professionals and members of community organizations together collected 8,119 pounds of food and essentials through the recent drive – four times the amount of items contributed last year, shared Keisha Telfer, lead organizer of the food drive and founder of Transitions Seniors Downsizing and Estate Services.
“Last year, our Thanksgiving food drive collected about 2,000 pounds of food and essentials for Northumberland Fare Share Food Bank,” said Telfer. “This year, we set out to double that amount, with a goal of 4,000 pounds.
“Instead, our community helped us collect an incredible 8,119 pounds – enough for approximately 6,766 meals, with a value of more than $30,000.”
She said building on last year’s success, organizers doubled the number of donation bags that were delivered to local households and tripled the number of participating businesses. Local businesses and organizations hosted collection boxes, residents filled donation bags, and community partners and sponsors helped spread the word.
“It was wonderful to see everyone come together for such an important cause.”
Telfer said what touched her most was hearing from people who had once relied on a food bank themselves and are now able to give back.
“It was a powerful reminder that food insecurity can affect anyone, and that people genuinely want to help their neighbours.”
While the goal for the food drive was an ambitious one, “our community went above and beyond,” she said. “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who played a part. It just goes to show what’s possible when a community comes together.”
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