Realtors plan food drive for May 7

Jeff Helsdon, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Local realtors are planning a food drive for May 7.

Tammy Betzner, chairperson of the realtor’s care committee of the Woodstock Ingersoll Tillsonburg And Area Real Estate Board, explained the food drive is organized in a way to minimize disruption to residents, and avoid knocking on doors where possible.

“We come three, four five six days ahead of time and hang a door hanger,” Betzner said. “Then people can leave, or not leave, the food at the door. Then we don’t have to bug them, we don’t have to knock on their door. It’s not very invasive.”

Donations collected will stay in the community where they are collected. In Tillsonburg, donations will go to the Helping Hand Food Bank, in Ingersoll to the Salvation Army and in Woodstock they will be split between Operation Sharing and Seniors in Food Crisis.

Beside the door hangers, the event will also be promoted on Facebook.

Betzner said the real estate agents try to hit most doors, but sometimes there are limits due to the number of agents taking part. She said anyone wanting to help, or high school students wanting community hours, should reach out to her at Cell (519) 670-1280.

The event was started by Woodstock realtor Kelly Byers, who initially ran the program herself and then joined the realtor’s care committee. Byers still spearheads the Woodstock end of the program. She was recognized for her work provincially and locally.

Door hangers will outline the items that are needed most. Betzner reminded that all items must be non-perishable and can’t be expired. Pick-up will be between 6 and 8 p.m. on May 7.