Scout/Guide Food Drive set for Saturday, Nov. 4

Georgetown area residents are encouraged to pick up a few extra items at the grocery store for the 16th Annual Scout/Guide Food Drive Saturday, Nov. 4.

All food collected will go to Georgetown Bread Basket which each month distributes approximately 6,900 lbs. of food to more than 180 adults and 128 children in the area.

Scouts and guides will be going door-to-door that day collecting the food donations residents are asked to have outside by 9 a.m. Paper bags for residents to fill with food items will be included in the Wednesday (Nov. 1) edition of The Independent & Free Press.

"We hope to reach or exceed last year's collection of over 42,000 lbs.," said Marian Viant, director media co-ordinator for Georgetown Bread Basket. "Cash donations are also accepted, and anyone giving the youth a donation of $10 or more will be issued a (tax) receipt."

Viant said food items most needed are canned meat and stew, canned fish, jam, cheese spreads, canned juice and juice boxes, powdered milk, canned milk, canned fruits and vegetables, nutritious snacks for children, mini fruit cups, peanut butter, and personal care items such as shampoo, toothpaste and brushes, deodorant, shaving cream and razors.

The youth will also be collecting monetary donations at the door. They will take residents name, address and phone number, so a receipt for any amount over $10 can be issued later.

Darlene Moss, scout/guide food drive co-ordinator, said she is hoping that many of the scouts and guides participate in the drive.

"With all the new routes we're heavily depending on as many scouts and guides to show up as possible," said Moss.

She said they are also encouraging the Venturers to come out to help load and unload trucks in the transport of food from Georgetown Alliance Church (290 Main St. S.) where it will be sorted, to the food bank.

Volunteers are also needed to help with taping, sorting and packing food at the church after 9 a.m. It is a great opportunity for youths to do their volunteer hours. Anyone interested is asked to just show up and sign in.

Moss said the scouts and guides hope to visit every home in Georgetown and Glen Williams, but there are always people who are missed.

Anyone who is missed in the pick up can drop their food in the donation box The Real Canadian Superstore, Food Basics, A&P, Price Chopper or the Bread Basket at 55 Sinclair Ave., Unit 12 Wednesday or Saturday between 9 a.m. and noon.

"If we can just collect as much as we did the previous year, we're laughing," said Moss.

For more information call 905-873-3368.

(Lisa Tallyn can be reached at

ltallyn@independentfreepress.com)