Just one week remains in the RCL Build a Mountain of Food campaign as week five wrapped up in Portland and Merrickville on Dec. 6.
Week five of the campaign delivered a sweeping lift for two communities as holiday demand ramps up.
One of the organizers, Jim Wright, said Portland brought in 2,250 pounds of food and $19,073.86 in cash supporting the Portland Food Bank.
These totals are “reasonably normal” for the village, which traditionally responds with deep generosity year after year, he said.
Of the overall cash total, $13,915 was collected on-site that day, with the balance arriving in the days before the event and through donated gift cards.
“The Sheldon’s Landing crew also returned with its trademark trailer load, adding 900 pounds of food in a single drop,” Wright said.
Merrickville collected 1,800 pounds of food and $875 in cash during Christmas in Merrickville festivities. The Lions Club was on hand as part of its annual Christmas Hamper drive, greeting donors alongside seasonal crowds.
The campaign now heads into its final push with the last collections taking place Saturday, Dec. 13 in Athens (8 a.m. to noon) and Delta (1 to 4 p.m.)
