Firefighters outside of Southampton Foodland were loading donations into the back of their antique fire truck December 14. From left, Sterling Eagleson, John Campbell, Paul Shular, Sam Welsh, Mack Rosner, and Terry Chappell.

Hub Staff

Once again the community came out in support of Saugeen Shores firefighters from Station #50 in Southampton and Station #60 in Port Elgin December 14 for their annual Firefighters Food Drive.

Firefighters, located outside of Walmart and Rowland's Independent in Port Elgin and Foodland in Southampton, greeted generous shoppers who handed over items to donate, which were delivered to the Salvation Army Food Bank in Port Elgin to help local families in need.

Bruce County Paramedics also joined forces with the Fire Department outside Walmart, collecting toys, which were also delivered to the Salvation Army to hand out to local families and their children.

Saugeen Shores Fire Department's Lorne Currie who is responsible for starting the annual event said it had now been running for approximately 20 years. “It started with Southampton when we were just Southampton and then continued with amalgamation,” said Currie, praising the firefighters for donating their time.

Currie explained that because the Food Bank had just relocated this past week they were unable to weigh the food this year but said there was even more donated than last year's 2,795 pounds. “We're well in excess of 3,000 pounds and then there was also cash donations," he said.

Major Connie Armstrong of the Salvation Army Community and Family Services said the donations were lovely. “When you think of all the different opportunities people have to give and yet it was still more than a full load," she said.

Armstrong said that the new location at 614 Barnes Avenue in Port Elgin will be resuming January 7 with the same hours as the previous location, Tuesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. but anyone needing assistance or wanting to donate prior to January 7 can call 519-389-3942.

Last updated December 20, 2019.

Firefighters at Rowland's Independent in Port Elgin were having a busy morning collecting donations. From left, Rob Atkinson, Rob Blue, Mike Coffell, Daniel Coffell, Lorne Currie, Scott McMeekin, Mike McCulloch, and Paul MacKinnon.

After donating to the Saugeen Shores Firefighters Food Drive, local resident Lindsay Darling (third from left) and two year old Wells stopped to chat with firefighters and paramedics outside Walmart. From left, Don Thede, Gary Smith, Lindsay Darling, Paramedic Nicole Kelley, Wells Darling, Nurse Lauren Austman, Paramedic Courtney Nesbitt, Keith Steingart, and Jake Ackert.

With several vehicles at Southampton Foodland, the Saugeen Shores Fire Department was hard to miss as they collected donations December 14 for the Salvation Army Food Bank.

Bruce County Paramedics joined forces with the Saugeen Shores Fire Department outside Walmart with a Toy Drive December 7.