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14 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday March 30, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Food bank depends on Easter food drive Continued from page 13 food banks, specifically the working poor. With high rents, few gains in increasing the supply of affordable housing, clawbacks on welfare, inade- quate provision of childcare assistance and continuing low minimum wage rates, Clarke notes, "after paying for rent and other necessities such families must go to food banks in order to provide for their children." "I personally can't believe that any person relishes the idea of having to come to a food bank," said Clarke who said the fact that some people must turn to the food bank is important and "deserves to be spoken of." However he does derive satisfaction in the fact that thanks to the generosity of Oakville residents, those who need assistance while they may not receive it from government, do so through the community. "We always get all the support we need from the community," said Clarke, who notes while 12 to 15 new families arrive at the food bank every month, the numbers don't keep soaring, which means about as many families are able to stop turning to the food bank. Food bank clients receive a host of staple items. They also fill out grocery order forms indicating what items they would like. The forms cater to non-pork and non-meat eaters and help reduce the amount of food given to people who may not want specific items. Clarke said the food bank buys perishable items, purchases ground beef, sausage and chicken from a local meat wholesaler, and is always looking for sales. Clarke, too, pounds the pavement, so to speak, contacting companies for donations and has turned up those who supply margarine, garbage bags, shampoo, pizzas and even ice cream. According to Clarke, Oakville probably has fewer people turning to the food bank than any other community in Canada. "But for families who are in the position of needing to come, their need is just as great as those in the poorest communities," he said. Fareshare benefits from food drives held locally at Christmas, but depends on the Thanksgiving and Easter drives the most to stock its shelves. For information or to donate, visit Fareshare at 1240 Speers Rd., Unit 6 or call 905-847-3988. -- Angela Blackburn can be reached at angela@oakvillebeaver.com. BERTIN STABLES Spring Lessons & Summer Camps · Weekday Lessons 4/$107 or $35/Lesson · Saturday at Farm 10am-3pm $40 (Children 5-12 yrs.) NOW BOOKING (905) 827-4678 www.bertinstables.com COLLECTIBLE SHOW GOOD FRIDAY APR 6, 10am-3pm OAKVILLE SHERIDAN COLLEGE GYM 1430 Trafalgar Rd. Oakville, Adm. $2 At 1pm Meet Maple Leaf Star NIK ANTROPOV Autograph only $10. Pucks & 8X10's on sale at show. Toys, Beanies, Sports Cards, Golf, Star Wars, Dolls, McFarlanes, Coca Cola, Die Cast, Action Figures, Pez, Hot Wheels, WWE, Comics, Non Sport, Nascar, Pins. 120 Tables, Free Parking, Info 905-643-6883 BBQ GAS LINES AND NATURAL GAS PIPING FOR DRYERS, KITCHEN RANGES, UNDER GROUND PIPING FOR POOL HEATERS, PATIO GAS HEATERS, PATIO FIREPLACES. Problem Solving since 1982 Experience is the difference! E-MAIL: scott@gasfix.ca 905-845-0701