This past Saturday (April 29), Helping Hands Society of Cochrane and Area in partnership with the Cochrane Activettes held its bi annual food drive.

Once again this event brought out hundreds of volunteers who not only lent a helping hand but showed what the power of collective giving and working together achieves.

Jackie Shier, Executive Director for Helping Hands Society, says they have preliminary numbers which will only grow over the next couple of weeks. 

"For food, we collected a thousand cases of food, for monetary donations we aren't sure yet as they are still being tallied, we usaully see about $3000 the day of donated. Over the next week or two we see more donations come in at the grocery stores and monetary donations mailed in because the volunteers have left little notes where no one was home.

If you were unable to donate on Saturday, no worries you still have time to make your donation count by dropping off your non perishable food items at Safeway, Save On Foods, and No Frills.

The food drive is one of the few events in town where young and old can come together to share in the experience of family helping family.

If you would like to be involved in the fall food drive the date has been set for Saturday, September 16 and sorting will be held at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre.

"If you missed out on this food drive, you are welcome to come join us in September. We would love to have you, we are always looking for new volunteers to get involved."