19 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, October 2, 2009 Food drive is more than a bag of groceries By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The Salvation Army is on a mission -- or three -- and it's about more than a bag of food. The Salvation Army Community Church of Oakville does provide emergency services, like its emergency food bank, for those in need. However, once it has met those immediate needs, it strives to put people on the road to independence. Referrals to services throughout the community are given to those who find their way through the Salvation Army's door. "It's about more than giving them a bag of food," said Chaney. Nevertheless, residents are being asked to give of their time and pitch in that bag of food to help others who are less fortunate and find themselves in dire straits. To that end, the Salvation Army Community Church of Oakville is gearing up for its annual food drive on Saturday, Oct. 17. "We only do a food drive one time a year. We are grateful for the donations we receive year round, at Christmas and Easter, but we need this food drive to be a success in order to provide for families throughout the year," said Aisha Chaney, community services co-ordinator for the Oakville Salvation Army. It's primarily this food drive that stocks the shelves of the food bank operated at the Rebecca Street church for the entire year. And it's hoped to be bountiful this year as the cupboards are indeed bare after a tough year that saw many more than usual turning to the Salvation Army -- usually at the 11th hour when they face not eating after paying bills, or even out of accommodation when they can't pay the bills. The food drive is at the centre of the trio of missions already underway -- and going green. From now until Oct. 15, the Salvation Army wants to hear from volunteers willing to distribute door hangers to residents -- to let people know the food drive is happening. "We're trying to go green this year," said Chaney explaining that instead of distributing the usual plastic bags for residents to fill and leave outside on food drive day, the Salvation Army will leave the door hangers and is asking Oct. 15. Two hundred more volunteers are then needed to return to the same neighbourhoods where door hangers were left, to pick up donations on Saturday, Oct. 17. Another 200 volunteers are sought to then sort the food in the third and final "mission" to take place between Oct. 19-30. While everyone is invited to "The bag has changed, but the cause remains the same." Aisha Chaney, community services co-ordinator, Salvation Army Oakville pitch in, Chaney said the distribution of door hangers and food collection opportunities are ideal for families and students seeking to fulfill community service hours (the Salvation Army is offering 4.5 hours of credit to students). The sorting may be better suited to others as it will occur between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. See Food page 21 INCREDIBLE IN STOCK LEATHER SALE Huge Savings up to 50% on Quali ty In Stock Leather Pair of 100% Leather Recliners Special - Limited Quantity Reg. $1999 Now $ 1199 for pair NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER Quality Top Grain Leather Sectional In Stock Special VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT: Salvation Army Community Services Co-ordinator Aisha Chaney shows the door hangers that will be left instead of bags this year in the Salvation Army's annual food drive. residents to use a bag of choice -- either plastic, paper or reusable -- when they provide their donation. "We thought we'd consider the environment and let people use their own bag, though we are a little concerned people may not recognize the door hanger as they would the bag," said Chaney. Reusable bags full of food will be passed on to the clients receiving the food donations. "The bag has changed, but the cause remains the same," said Chaney. About 200 volunteers are needed to distribute the door hangers throughout Oakville until $ 2699 Top Grain Leather Transitional Sofa/Loveseat Reg. $ $ 4999 3999 Now In Stock $ 4205 Fairview Street, Burlington · 905.634.5298 Heritage Furniture 1999