Windsor residents dig deep to feed the hungry

Food-bank use has jumped 35 per cent in the past year at the Unemployed Help Centre, increasing the need for donations, according to CEO June Muir.

Muir talked about the need for food in the region during a special broadcast of Windsor Morning, which is part of CBC Windsor's Sounds of the Season event Friday.

• CBC Windsor celebrates Sounds of the Season

Sounds of the Season food drive raises money and collects food for the Unemployed Help Centre, the group that stocks food bank shelves throughout the region.

"It is a challenge, but when we put the word out when we need food, people in Windsor and Essex County step up and we get the food," Muir said.

Support for the hungry can come from anywhere, Muir explained. Also joining Windsor Morning was Ryli Michalczuk, who donated money to the Help Centre in order to throw a pizza party for its clients.

Michalczuk raised the cash by knitting and selling hats and other clothing items. So far, she's knitted more than 200 hats. This year alone, she's made about 70 hats.

All money she earns will be going toward another pizza party.

"It makes me feel really good because you see the smiles on people's faces," she said.