The Food First food drive is one of the biggest food drives for the Samaritan House, and the group behind the drive are getting ready for their 8th year.

“The best part about the Food First food drive is how easy it is for people to give,” said Doug Treloar, principal organizer of Food First.
“We deliver the bags right to the doors with the Westman Journal, and then with the help of Neelin students and Lions Club drivers, we pick them right up from your front step. All people need to do is fill the bag with food and leave it outside for 10:30 a.m. on May 26.”

Last year, Food First gathered 11,000 pounds of food, the largest amount to-date, which was shocking considering the flooding issues that were plaguing the city at the time.

“Last year was the most robust Food First ever,” said Treloar.
“We were completely surprised. Given the high water event and the number of evacuated areas, we had to cancel some of our routes altogether. But Brandon rallied in an amazing way, which just goes to show what an amazing community we have – people were willing to get behind a cause like this while dealing with all their own struggles.”

This year, Food First has geographically enlarged three of their routes to accommodate for city expansion, and while Doug says they don’t like setting goals, with better circumstances in Brandon this year is bound to be even bigger.

“We are always cautious in setting any target goals, because even if we only gather 10 pounds of food, that’s still 10 pounds more than the Samaritan House had before,” said Treloar.
“If we can float in around the 10,000 pound mark, which has been our average over the last seven years, that would be great.”

The process of donating truly is as easy as it gets. Special marked Food First bags will be delivered with the May 23 edition of the Westman Journal, and those bags can be filled with any kind of food before being left outside your front door on the morning of May 26.
While any food is acceptable, the Samaritan House is always looking for specific items.

“Canned fruits and vegetables are a real staple, so are canned meat and other high-protein foods,” said Treloar.
“Most of the people who utilize the food bank are families with kids, and it is especially important for young children to receive proper nutrition. Eating well, especially in the first 10-years of life, leads to a longer, healthier life. So many children benefit from the food bank.”

So be on the lookout for your Food First bag in next week’s Westman Journal. Any and all contributions are welcome, no matter how large or small.