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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, November 16, 2012 · 18 Camp out shows homelessness and hunger exist here By John Bkila OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Ten Ford of Canada employees and United Way of Oakville canvassers camped for 24 hours outside the Oakville Assembly Complex last week to raise awareness about homelessness and to help those in need. "We're just trying to get a taste of it... and to reiterate to our members that homelessness does exist in Oakville and there's a need that needs to be met," said Tim Batke, canvasser for United Way Oakville and a Ford employee. The group camped out from 9 a.m. on Nov. 8 to 9 a.m. on Nov. 9 in two large tents and sleeping bags set up outside Gate 12 at The Canadian Road -- depending on co-workers, families and friends to bring them food and drink, and only entering the assembly plant to use the facilities. Large bins were set up outside the main gates to collect non-perishable items for the Oakvillebased Food for Life Canada, a United Way-funded agency. The fresh-food charity assists 40 community agencies and 36 neighbourhood outreach programs in Halton to help feed 20,000 clients, including individuals and families. "There's a need out there from people, whether they're homeless or not, who have a hard time making ends meet and getting the Celebrate the Holiday Season with us! STATE BALLET THEATRE OF RUSSIA ERIC RIEHL / OAKVILLE BEAVER / @halton_photog Nutcracker DECEMBER 1 & 2, 2012 2 & 7 PM HAMMERSON HALL T he good for the soul: Ten volunteers, including Donna Warren, from Ford of Canada and the United Way of Oakville camped for 24 hours outside the Oakville Assembly Complex, to experience what it's like to be homeless. They also collected food and cash for Food for Life Canada. SPONSOR food to the table," Batke said. "United Way's Soup for the Soul is a way to remind our members and the community that, unfortunately in Oakville and the outlying areas, there is a need for food banks and Food for Life, and that homelessness exists." Ford employees, strong United Way supporters, did a similar campout two years ago, collecting socks for those in need -- and amassing three truckloads of socks and $1,000 for the United Way. This year's campaign filled two large bins with canned food and raised more than $2,100 for Food for Life. "The Oakville community isn't immune to homelessness and there's a need there," said Batke. For more information, visit www. foodforlife.ca or www.uwoakville.org. Broadway, Christmas & Beyond SPONSOR DIRECT FROM BROADWAY $16.95 per ticket JANUARY 4 ­ 6, 2013 7 & 1 PM HAMMERSON HALL