The Easter Challenge is on and You Could Win

Small community throws down the gauntlet for Fare Share Food Banks

April 7, 2011, Cobourg – Today, Northumberland Fare Share Food Banks is pleased to announce Penryn Village’s Easter Food Drive Community Challenge. Last Christmas the Penryn Village neighbourhood set about collecting food for the food bank and in less than an hour over a ton of food plus nearly $1,500 was collected for Fare Share.

This Easter, Penryn Village is challenging your community to outdo them. Fare Share, with the generous assistance of Abato’s Restaurant of Port Hope is making it worth your while offering a grand prize of a Traditional Italian Feast for 25 of your closest friends.

“We are so pleased that local community groups are stepping up to help”, said George Leger, Executive Director, “It makes it easier on all of our volunteers when others get involved and Penryn is just one example of how a small group can make a huge difference”. The Food Banks distribute food to 2,600 people per month or over 31,000 people this year. The banks need community support to collect this tremendous amount of food required to feed those less fortunate.

Any community can participate and Fare Share defines community as your place of work, your church, your school, your Municipal or County office, your campaign office, your club, team or neighbourhood. Any group of 2 or more makes a community and Fare Share believes that these community food drives help build community. Details are found online at www.fareshare.ca, or contact Fare Share via email – admin@fareshare.ca

Penryn Village has found a fun way to get involved. “It is really simple to run a food drive and we are pleased to help”, stated Duncan MacKinnon one of the Penryn Village owners, “we emailed and sent flyers to each of the residents, set a date to pick up food and/or donations and when we went around to collect it last time, we were astounded”. Mr MacKinnon called the bank and requested a van and trailer to pick up the food, as there was far more than he could have transported in his car. “We’re dong it again on our streets, so thought why not present a challenge across the region and see if we can really deliver this Easter. Those folks at Fare Share certainly have no shortage of people needing food” MacKinnon added, “the more we give the more food people have during this time”.

Fare Share, with the help of the Penryn group have created a how-to guide, downloadable posters and promotional aids to get your food drive started. The Food bank will pickup food from the Easter Challenge on April 9, 16, 23 and 30th – arrangements can be made by emailing admin@fareshare.ca or calling their offices at 905-372-5308.