People line up at Port Elgin Pharmasave for their by donation charity barbecue July 18.

Hub Staff

With the sun shining and the downtown bustling with Farmers’ Market activity, it was a perfect day for Port Elgin Pharmasave as they held a by donation charity barbecue July 18. The second annual event raised a total of $720.85 in cash and gift cards as well as food donations for the Salvation Army Food Bank.

“This year worked out really well,” remarked Port Elgin Pharmasave Manager Jenn Conley, who said that the event last year raised $300 so organizers were caught by surprise this year.

Burgers, hotdogs, fried onions, pop and water were served up with all proceeds going to the Food Bank. “We went through over six dozen hamburgers and through six or seven dozen hotdogs,” said Conley, who gave praise to Bruce County Physiotheapy, Sutton-Huron Shores Realty Inc. Brokerage, Huron Shores Massage Therapy, Rowland's Your Independent Grocer, Ralph's Hi-Way Shopette and The Bread Depot. “They all provided stuff for us so that we could keep the costs down so more of the donations would go to the Food Bank,” she said.

Conley explained that although there are several food drives in Saugeen Shores around the Christmas holiday season there was a need at the Food Bank year round. “Summer is a difficult time for families in our community when kids are not able to access the breakfast club or other school resources,” she said.

Donations from the barbecue were presented to the Salvation Army Food Bank in Port Elgin July 20. “We're totally blessed, it’s wonderful,” said Salvation Army volunteer Diane Thorne. “That will make an incredible difference.”

Thorne said that the money and gift cards would go toward purchasing fresh food and stocking up on some of the more standard items such as peanut butter and pasta.

The Salvation Army will be holding a food drive at Rowland's Independent Grocer on Friday, August 3 and Saturday, August 4. “Our shelves are a bit low,” said Thorne. “People maybe don't think of it as much in the summer but the need is always there,” she said.

From left, Pharmasave's Kelly Gallagher and Jenn Conley, Salvation Army volunteer, Diane Thorne and Pharmasave's Joe_Flarity were ready to serve attendees to their by donation barbecue July 18 in support of the Salvation Army Food Bank.

“Bear Naked Chef” Joe Flarity cooked up dozens of burgers and hotdogs for guests at Port Elgin Pharmasave's charity barbecue in downtown Port Elgin.

With the Port Elgin Farmers’ Market behind her, Salvation Army volunteer Pat Virtue was busy gathering the attention of hungry shoppers.

At the Food Bank in Port Elgin July 20, Port Elgin Pharmasave Manager Jenn Conley (right) presented Salvation Army volunteer Diane Thorne with donations of food and over $720 in cash and gift cards that were collected at the pharmacy’s charity barbecue July 18.