Smiths Falls Build a Mountain of Food blitz set for Saturday
The RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food campaign continued its strong run this past weekend with major collections in Lanark and Perth, bringing the two-week total to 81,354 lb of food and $18,984 in cash donations.
Week 2 took place Saturday, Nov. 15, in support of the Lanark Highlands Food Pantry and the Perth Good Food Bank. Campaign organizer Jim Wright said the day saw excellent turnout.
Wright described it as another “very good day” for the campaign, which visits 11 communities across Lanark and Leeds Grenville.
In Lanark, volunteers collected 3,600 lb of food and $3,350, which included $2,500 from the Lanark Civitan Club.
This year brings new leadership at the Perth Good Food Bank. Amica Hewitt is the new coordinator, and Rob Rainer has joined as executive director of The Table Community Food Centre.
“Everyone’s been telling me to get prepped for Build a Mountain,” Hewitt told Wright during a video interview. “The number of heart-warming conversations … I’m blown away.”
When hearing Perth’s totals, Rainer said the results “say everything” about the small community.
“One of the nice things about living in a small town, it’s relatively easy to meet people and make connections,” he said. “We all know people in our circles who are struggling. Having those connections is a big reason why those people are so generous.”
Rainer said food insecurity can feel less anonymous in a rural area.
“Since I’ve been here the past four or five months, I’ve been astonished at the amount of goodwill that there is toward The Table,” he said.
A drive like Build a Mountain helps the centre increase its capacity at this time of year.
“It’s very humbling to see this incredible support … we are extremely fortunate to have the community that we do,” Rainer said.
Hewitt said the Perth blitz had about 60 volunteers and the day would not have been possible without them.
Grocery store owners in Perth received strong praise for their support, including Barnabe’s Your Independent Grocer, Metro, Foodsmiths and Giant Tiger.
Perth’s totals were boosted by several major contributions:
- Matthew Barnabe of Barnabe’s Your Independent Grocer pledged 35,000 lb of food.
- Gord Jones of Giant Tiger pledged 20,000 lb.
- Metro matched donations from all locations up to $7,500.
- Metro’s annual three-minute Shopping Cart Race brought in $8,053.28 in food, led by Perth Blue Wings players and Metro staff.
- Foodsmiths donated two pallets of food along with customer contributions.
Wright said stores will continue to sell prepackaged donation bags through the week.
“A lot of things have changed over the past 19 years,” he said. “But the one thing that stays constant is the support that we get.”
Smiths Falls next
The campaign moves to Smiths Falls on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers will be stationed at Jonsson’s Your Independent Grocer, Food Basics, the Garden Market and Giant Tiger in support of the Smiths Falls Community Food Bank.
Remaining 2025 blitz dates
Saturday, Nov. 29
Elgin
9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Gordanier Freshmart
In support of the Elgin Food Bank
Westport
12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Kudrinko’s
In support of the Westport Food Bank
Saturday, Dec. 6
Portland
9 a.m. to 12 p.m., LCBO and RBC
In support of the Portland Food Bank
Merrickville
1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Merrickville Food Market
In support of the Merrickville Lions Club Christmas Food Hamper Campaign
Saturday, Dec. 13
Athens
9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Athens Fresh Market
In support of the Athens Food BankDelta
1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Delta Country Market
In support of the Delta Food Bank
