What's Happening in Brampton, ON…

The City of Brampton is holding a Toys for Tots and Food Drive on December 12. Citizens can drop off a new, unwrapped toy or non-perishable food items at any Brampton community centre, library or fire station. They can also bring them to City Hall.

The Toys for Tots items will be collected by Peel Regional Police who will distribute them to needy families in Peel. The food donations will be collected by the Salvation Army and distributed to those who are part of the Brampton Food Sharing Network.

The Brampton Food Sharing Network of the Salvation Army is one of many private food banks in Peel region. Unlike many food banks, this network assesses the budget requirements of families who apply and tailor the food donations to that budget. Those applying must show proof of income and rent and show identification for every member of the family. This cuts down on the very little fraud that goes on around food banks. The organization is open Monday to Friday and visits are by appointment only.

To educate the public about other food banks in Brampton and area, Peel Region has arranged with printing companies to create a flyer which lists all of the food banks. It also has information on the types of foods that are most needed by food banks.

A shortage of food is felt most keenly at this time of year when there seems to be so much talk of Christmas dinners, parties at work, and television programs talking about new food products and recipes. Those of us who have plenty this season should try to make sure others will have enough to eat by supporting your local food bank.