The shelves at a Chatham food bank are looking a little fuller this week, thanks to a group of dedicated volunteers.
Members from the Knights of Columbus Councils of the Chatham Catholic Family of Parishes and the Blessed Sacrament Parish collected over 217 banana boxes, or about 10,000 pounds of food, for the Chatham-Kent Salvation Army over a two-day long donation drive.
Over the two days, volunteers were able to raise an additional $4,351 for the local food bank.
On Wednesday, the Knights of Council 1412 presented the Salvation Army with gift cards from Food Basics and the Real Canadian Superstore in the amount of money raised at each location from April 28 to 29.
Steve Brent with the Knights of Columbus said the community helped raise double the amount raised last year.
"Our Inaugural Food and Fundraiser at Food Basics in April 2022 raised $1,466 and 35 banana boxes of food," said Brent. "We held a second one in September that year and raised $2,603 and 65 banana boxes full of food."
According to Brent, all of the council's events have benefited the Salvation Army of Chatham-Kent with the expectation of some perishable items being provided to the Chatham-Kent Women's Centre.
"We are so grateful for the continuing generosity of the people of our Chatham Kent Communities to provide for the needy of our community," said Brent.
