CFB North Bay roadside food drive a huge success

'People have been very generous'

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The CFB North Bay 51 Aerospace Control and Warning (Operational Training) Squadron food drive doubled its goal by collecting 4-thousand pounds of food for the North Bay Food Bank.

“People have been very generous. Our goal was 2-thousand pounds,” said event organizer Captain Jonathan Dargus.

Non-perishable food items and cash donations were collected from motorists during a roadside stop on Airport Road near the Air Defence Park, and a second entrance into the base.

“One dollar is equal to one pound of food. This year we moved under the umbrella My Team Cares. It used to be Coach4Food,” said Dargus.

“It is important for us to help because we are part of the community. We just like doing it.”

Major Andrew Lunn is the Commanding Officer of the Squadron.

“We’re the lead for this event for 22 Wing. This is something we have been doing since 2010,” explained Lunn who said there is never a shortage of volunteers.

“It is our way of giving back to the community. So, it is never difficult to get people to come out early on a cold winter day to give something back. They look forward to it every year. We have pretty much our entire small squadron of 32 out here across our two locations.”

The warm smiles on the faces of those donating and those doing the collecting were in sharp contrast to the cold weather.

“The weather is cold, but we’ve got some hot coffee and lots of Christmas spirit. And I can tell you people feel really feel good about having a chance to help the food bank,” said Lunn.

“And it gives us a chance to see each other in a different venue other than in the office or doing operations which comes with its own set of pressures. So, it is a nice way for us to get out and bond as a group as well.”