Y's Men's Food Drive collects record donations

More food was donated and more volunteers came out to collect it than ever in the 30-year history of the Charlottetown Y's Men's annual food drive, organizers say.

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"The first one was back in 1986 and it was going to be a one-shot deal," said Bill Irwin, president of the Charlottetown Y's Men's and chair of this year's food drive. "We're still at it because the demand is still there."

"The club feels we are serving a need in the community and we're pleased to do it."

Irwin begins planning for the food drive months in advance, checking the pickup route and lining up other service clubs and local sports teams to help out.

The suburbs of Charlottetown are getting larger, Irwin points out, with more apartment buildings so the drive requires ever-more volunteers to canvass for food. This year, about 500 people answered the call to help.

"We do have many repeat volunteers and that's a big help," Irwin said, addingthis year,people continued to call to offer help until the last minute.

'Don't get many people saying no'

The response at the door from those being asked for donations was better than ever, he said they collected more than last year, about 40 pallets of more than a cubic metre each two more than last year.

"There were more and more people with their bags ready for us," Irwin said, which helps save time. "They're appreciative of the work we do, they thank us for doing it. We don't get many people saying no."

Irwin is already brainstorming ways to improve the food drive next year, he said.

"Our business picks up with the cold weather and the winter months," said Upper Room Food Bank managerMike MacDonald, so the donations are needed.

The food bank will need about three weeks to sortthroughall the food, he added.

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