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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday October 6, 2006 - 7 Salvation Army gives thanks for donations By Howard Mozel OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Last year's annual Oakville Salvation Army food drive was such a success that only now stocks are starting to dwindle. To fill the foodbank's shelves once again, organizers are appealing to the public to make this month's event equally bountiful. To ensure this happens, says Community Services Co-ordinator Aisha King, non-perishable food items are needed, as well as at least 200 volunteers to help distribute and then collect donation bags. "Success always hinges on volunteer support," said King. As a once-a-year event, the food drive needs to be successful in order to keep the Salvation Army's foodbank stocked for the thou- sands of clients who depend on it. In short, said, King, it has to last all year. This gets harder, however, as the demand increases. In 2005, for example, the Oakville Salvation Army's foodbank served a total of 94 families per month. For the year, the foodbank served 1,838 adults and 1,589 children. Clients range from single mothers and people on assistance to new immigrants and singles. Seniors sometimes show up at the foodbank. The reasons for clients' appearance there are increasingly complex, said King. To help them out, the Sally Ann is asking the public to step forward to deliver donation bags to every home in Oakville between now and Oct. 21 then return on Saturday, "The community is always very generous. This is the only time of year that we solicit food." Aisha King, Salvation Army Oct. 28 to pick them up. "The community is always very generous," said King. "This is the only time of year that we solicit food." Residents are being asked to keep their white and red donation bag somewhere conspicuous to remind them to fill it, or any other labeled bag, with food and leave it outside their home visible from the street by 10 a.m. on Oct. 28. Volunteers will be around over the next few hours to collect them. Everything donated stays in Oakville. Especially needed by the foodbank are canned and powdered milk, fruit juice, canned fruit, canned meat, pasta, cereal and rice. As a friendly reminder to those who use the food drive to clean out their cupboards, King encourages residents to please check the best-before date on all canned goods. Last year, volunteers spent valuable time doublechecking items and weeding out outdated food. Cash donations are also welcome and can be dropped off at the Oakville Community Church, 1225 Rebecca St. Volunteers to drop off bags and pick them up (plus 35 to 40 drivers for Oct. 28) are being asked to contact the Salvation Army at 905-827-6523 to sign up. Those distributing bags will receive a map area to cover plus bags. On Oct. 28, volunteers will be placed in groups of four. If you choose to sign up as a group, please indicate so. Students will be credited 4.5 hours a day toward their community service hours. On Oct. 28, volunteers will assemble at the church then carry out pick-ups and drop-offs at designated locations from 11 a.m. to around 4 p.m. "It's a great day," said King. "There is so much anticipation leading up to it." Any residents whose bags are missed in the original pick-up (or those who simply wish to donate) can drop off goods at the church. Last year, it became obvious to everyone involved that the drive was a success when the 35-foot transport trailer out back of the Oakville Community Church was filled and overflow goods had to be taken directly to the foodbank for sorting. - Howard Mozel can be reached at hmozel@haltonsearch.com. European Engineering Combined With Traditional Workmanship BVRA questions Palm Place loss Continued from page 6 that Town Council ensure it never is able to happen again. We question the value and worthiness our community has in the development process. This community became deeply involved in this issue right from the beginning yet our opinions and efforts seemed to have little or no impact with our political leadership (until it was too late). It appeared our politicians eventually understood our passion. However the planning staff position was one of "compromise." Why? Is this how our community wants planning decisions to be made -- by 'compromise'? The Planning Director stated the best possible land use for this property was park. How did it become zoned for the highest density legally possible in Oakville and how then could our planning staff recommend 300 units? As taxpayers we expect value for our money both at the political and staff levels. We expect our input to count -- particularly so considering the unprecedented level of commit- ment and involvement provided not only by the Bronte community but by others within the Town, for example on the Sharkey's file. It appears this community input did not result in any change in the outcome of this case or in the system. Instead, in seems, compromise and 'behindthe-scenes' deals -- decided the outcome of this case. How sad. How utterly unacceptable. With respect, it is not acceptable to simply blame the Provincial government for this mess when it is in your power to ensure the proper staff are in place and are provided with sufficient resources to do the job. Our own system should be fixed before casting aspersions on Queen's Park. We are forwarding a copy of this request to the Oakville Beaver, as we believe the public will want to be aware of both the request and the Town's response as a matter of public record at this time of a municipal election. The Bronte Village Residents Association continues their work, including providing public awareness about the system for which development is approved in our beautiful community. Laurie McGinn Brian Miller Bronte Village Residents' Association (BVRA) "Building on the Brightest Ideas Around Glass" 905.849.0266 The garlic festival is here. ONLY until NOV E M B E R 5 t h