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6 ·The IFP· Halton Hills ·Tuesday, March 20, 2012 OPINION Feed the bank "Hunger doesn't take a vacation." Those words were uttered by Terri Mosher, chair of Georgetown Bread Basket, who is hoping the Halton Hills community can aid the local food bank with donations. Mosher said there has been an 11 per cent increase, compared to 2011, in the number of people (approximately 400 adults) using the food bank, and a six per cent increase in the number of families (approximately 200) who rely on it. Each month the food bank gives out about 12,500 lbs. of food, or approximately 150,000 lbs. each year. Unfortunately the Georgetown food bank is not alone in feeling the growing demand for help. The Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB) reports there was a jump in food bank users in 2008 due to the economic recession, but today those numbers have not declined to pre-2008 levels despite the slowly recovering economy and a nation-wide unemployment rate at its lowest since December 2008. The OAFB reports that last March 395,000 Ontarians a month were turning to food banks for assistance, which is 26 per cent higher than before the economic downturn. Food items most needed at the Bread Basket are: sugar, instant coffee, healthy cookies and crackers (whole grain), canned 100 per cent fruit and vegetable juices, high fibre, whole grain or multi-grain cereals or oatmeal, canned or powdered milk, canned fish and meat such as salmon, tuna, sardines, corned beef or chicken and canned peaches, pears and fruit cocktail. Anyone interested in making a donation to the Georgetown Bread Basket can drop off food in any of the food bank boxes in area grocery stores. To make a monetary donation send a cheque to Georgetown Bread Basket at 55 Sinclair Ave., Unit 12, Georgetown, ON, L7G 4X4 or go online to www.georgetownbreadbasket.ca 905-873-0301 Publisher: Ken Nugent General manager: Steve Foreman (sforeman@theifp.ca) Retail advertising manager: Cindi Campbell (ccampbell@theifp.ca) Managing editor: John McGhie (jmcghie@theifp.ca) Distribution manager: Nancy Geissler (ngeissler@theifp.ca) Classifieds Kristie Pells (classified@theifp.ca) Accounting Rose Marie Gauthier Editorial Cynthia Gamble: News editor (cgamble@theifp.ca) Ted Brown: Photography (tbrown@theifp.ca) Lisa Tallyn: Staff writer (ltallyn@theifp.ca) Eamonn Maher: Staff writer/sports (emaher@theifp.ca) Letters policy Letters must include an address and daytime phone number. Anonymous letters will not be published. Letters should not exceed 150 words and may be edited for content and/or length. Publication is not guaranteed. Email: jmcghie@theifp.ca Steve Nease Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1. Letters to the editor Town ignoring the `little voices' Dear editor, Recently (March 6), the Committee of Adjustment, despite well-presented arguments by local residents, voted in favour of a resolution to split a lot on the corner of Charles Street and Maple Avenue into two separate lots, allowing the possibility of mirrored two story homes to be built on that corner. Earlier in the week a group of residents argued against the building of a five-storey apartment building on John Street. Yes, perhaps both plans meet all the official local zoning and building restrictions, but I believe our "town fathers" are leaving out one very large and important part of the equation-- common sense. I am afraid that we are about to see this happening more and more, as the buzzword these days seems to be `intensify.' However, what is happening is, that at this point in the history of our town, we are beginning to change our look from a special family-oriented, somewhat historic wonderful place to live into just another generic living space full of people packed buildings that will bring in more money to the town coffers. It seems to be that throughout the world these days, the words `common sense' have been replaced by the almighty dollar. I appreciate that pleasing everyone is almost impossible, but along with a great many other people in this wonderful town, I would appeal to the our town planners, councillors and committee of adjustment, to stand back, take a look at what we have and what the people want, and let the little voices be heard. Please. Dawn Livingstone, Georgetown informative and was so well received that we are repeating it again this year. Nelson Ho, a research specialist at the University of Guelph, currently working toward his doctorate, is the invited speaker this year. The evening takes place Wednesday, March 28 at 7 p.m. at Knox Presbyterian Church, Acton. Why are we so interested in hearing about the research currently taking place? Ask any volunteer and you will probably hear about the loss of a loved one and the common reason for the battle lost, not enough medical knowledge to bring about a cure. That knowledge can only be found by research. It is research that is going to eventually free us from this terrible disease. Breakthroughs are happening, lives that would have in peril a few years ago are being saved. But we continue to lose too many loved ones. We must keep up the fight. The Canadian Cancer Society funds approximately 60% of all research done in Canada. Come out this year and hear Nelson Ho's presentation. Find out how important your donated dollars are. Let's all work toward a better future. Pat Kentner, Publicity Rep, Acton Branch, Canadian Cancer Society WEB POLL RESULTS (Go to www.independentfreepress.com) A Mississauga man was sentenced to seven years in jail for a crash in 2010 in Acton that killed one person and injured four others. Was this a fair sentence? · Yes (60%) · No (40%) Speaker starts Acton campaign Dear editor, The Acton Branch of the Canadian Cancer Society have been meeting to plan, once again, the beginning of the Spring Campaign. Last year we changed the concept of dinner and conversation and invited a well-known cancer research specialist to speak. We opened the invitation to the general public as well as all volunteers. This evening proved so The Independent & Free Press The Independent & Free Press is published Tuesday and Thursday and is one of several Metroland Media Group Ltd. community newspapers. Editorial and advertising content of The Independent & Free Press is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.