This is one of a series of articles, as part of the feature called "Helpers", which focuses on people and organizations that help make our community better.
This time we focus on the impact that Northern Honda's donated Civic has had for the North Bay Food Bank.
Debbie Marson is the Executive Director of the North Bay Food Bank. When she took over that role several months ago, she found one of the assets the organization had was a donated Honda Civic.
The vehicle was donated when Northern Honda opened its new state-of-the-art dealership. At that time it was found that donating a vehicle actually had more value than a one-time food donation, as it reduced ongoing costs for the organization. Reimbursing staff or volunteers for vehicle use, gas, and wear and tear was reduced. It also allowed the food bank to do more food pick-ups, more often and more quickly.
Marson says it continues to be great to have a vehicle at the ready, so that if a business or group says, "We have unexpected food, can you come to get it?" they can respond, most times virtually immediately. It's also used for a set number of scheduled pick-ups every Thursday.
During the pandemic, there were unforeseen benefits to having the Civic on hand. "It was a really nice asset, it was a blessing in disguise," says Marson.
"When we were getting a lot more donations that could be picked up, it helped. It was also great for the home deliveries we were doing along with the city, so people would be able to stay home and stay safe. At one point we were doing nine deliveries a day, and two to four of those were because we had this extra vehicle to assist us," adds Marson, explaining how people's lives were impacted for the better.
"Today was a perfect example of how it helps in other ways. A mother with two kids came in for food. She only had a wagon, and no way to safely get the food home. Because we had a volunteer available and had 15 minutes to help, the vehicle was used to get her and the kids and the food home safe and sound," she says.
Marson says they're always in need of more help, donations, and volunteers at their Fisher Street location. She says the best first step is to simply call to discuss the matter. For those seeking help and food, she suggests a call can be the best first step as well, at (705) 495-3290.
And as for the folks at Northern Honda dealership, we received this comment, from Owner-Operator David Barber.
"We're so happy that our donated Civic made a difference, especially during the height of the COVID situation. We already know it saved the Food Bank money since they didn't have to reimburse staff or volunteers for vehicle usage anymore. And we knew it gave them a 100% reliable vehicle to make those important food pickups every week. But to hear that it made a difference in people's lives when the COVID situation was at its worst - that make us truly happy and humble."
