One can't help but have mixed feelings about the recent results from a local food drive that wrapped up this Friday. As they had done in years previous, Curves for Women locations across the city accepted donations to be directed to the North York Harvest Food Bank in time for the annual Spring Food Drive.
During the two-day collection period, the initial total was just a shade under 1,500 pounds of non-perishable food.
The action of helping out those less fortunate is always noble and a heartfelt thank you is owed to those who gave of their time, money, facilities and expertise to help out any way they can. That's great news, considered on its own. After all, every little bit helps.
Given the goal of the exercise was a more ambitious 6,500 pounds of food, however, one can't help but be left with a bit of an empty feeling - especially considering 7,000 pounds were collected last year. Added to that consideration is that last year's totals meant that the Curves initiative was a Top 10 producer for the food bank five years in a row - an outstanding accomplishment of sustained effort.
So where does this leave this year's totals? For the spring food drive, which wraps up Friday, the results were such that Tania Principe, senior manager of community engagement for the food bank, commented to The Mirror that it was one of the lowest food drives they've had.
Is it a cause for concern? Of course. Truth be told, the fact that food drives even exist simply means that there are people going hungry and in need of our help. The food bank serves as the city's second largest food bank and a regional clearing house for many suburban-based food programs in the former municipalities of North York, Etobicoke and York. A lot of people depend on it.
On the bright side, there is still time and even then, there are still always ways to contribute. Help in any form is - and always has been - warmly embraced. In general, acts of charity, while experiencing inevitable peaks and valleys in terms of demand, are always welcome - anytime, anywhere.
Hopefully these results are a mere blip on the radar screen and not indicative of any larger trend. In the meantime, donations of time, goods and money are always a fantastic idea in order that they be distributed to those who desperately need it.
After all, it's never a bad thing to show you care.
Visit www.northyorkharvestfoodbank.com to contribute to the North York Harvest Food Bank's food drive.