The Lions Clubs of Merritton will host a food, bottle and clothing drive on March 27 at the Merritton Community Centre where participants can also win a ham or a turkey in a raffle.
Proceeds from the drive will be going to local organizations to help provide food, shelter and clothing for those in need. The club held a similar drive for the first time last November.
Keith Brown, the chair of the drive, said the initial event in November was “COVID driven.” After the cancellation of the club’s more regular events like the Labour Day weekend Community Days Festival, a bowl-a-thon and trivia night, “the need was there for food and to raise a few dollars for the community. So that's what we decided to do,” Brown said.
With over 1,600 pounds of food, four bins of clothing and $2,000 worth of empty bottles, Brown deemed the November event a big success. He said the club is hoping to to match or exceed the results of the last drive at the upcoming one.
Those wishing to participate are asked to bring new or gently used spring/summer clothing and shoes, empty cans or bottles of beer or other assorted liquors and non perishable food items from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to the Merritton Community Centre on March 27. Participants can also enter to win a ham or turkey draw that will see up to 75 winners.
“So the focus, I think of giving back to the community is one of the big things that keeps us together,” Brown said. He said that in the previous Lions Club year (July to June), the club raised $60,000 for the community. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the club is struggling to meet that number and hopes to end this year with a total of $25,000 to $30,000.
- Moosa Imran, Local Journalism Initiative, Grimsby Lincoln News
