Acton Food Drive Saturday

Collection starts at 9 a.m.

Acton residents are asked to put a few extra items on their shopping list this week for the Scout, Guides and Calvinist Cadets Annual Food Drive for Acton FoodShare Saturday (April 14). Several youths will be going door to door in Acton that morning collecting food for the food bank that regularly serves approximately 200 people. The most needed items include canned meat, fish, stew, soup, vegetables, baked beans, tomatoes, pasta and fruit, peanut butter, jam, ketchup, dry pasta, rice and cereal, juice, pudding, drinking boxes (suitable for school lunches), tea, instant coffee, hot chocolate, sugar, dry milk, cookies and crackers. The youths will begin picking up the donations starting at 9 a.m. so everyone is asked to put their items out at their front door by 8:30 a.m. This is the third year for a spring drive in Acton, replacing the former fall drive. Arlene Humphries, chairperson of the food bank, said it works well, providing food when it's most needed. She said the food bank has been quite low on food, but that is actually a positive with the food drive just around the corner. "If we can bring our stock down at this time of year then people are getting fresh food," said Humphries. Humphries said over the past months she has noticed an increase in the size of the families they are serving, therefore requiring more food. The food bank does not have a goal for the drive, but past drives have brought in between 8,000 and 10,000 lbs. "Whatever food we get, we're happy with," said Humphries. Along with food, the youths will be collecting monetary donations as well. The money will be used to buy perishable items for food bank clients including meat. Anyone who wants a receipt should include their name and address when turning over their donation. Anyone missed during the drive can still donate, by dropping food off at Bethel Christian Reformed Church when it is open, at the food bank at 350 Queen St., Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to noon, or by calling the food bank at 519-853-0457 to arrange a pickup.