Marathon Trick Or Eat Estimated at $10,000 of Non-Perishables!

Written by admin on 08 November 2011

Alannah and Amanda, Marathon 2011 Trick or Eat Food Drive Student Volunteers. Submitted photos.

Marathon High School Senior Volleyball team Trick or Eat Volunteers with Karen Richard (far left). Submitted photo.

Marathon 2nd Annual Trick or Eat Food Drive's youngest Volunteer - GREAT WORK little dragon! Submitted photo.

Hard working Volunteer sorts through donations received at the 2011 Marathon Trick or Eat Food Drive. Submitted photos.

MARATHON, ON – Monday, October 31^st, while many were out Trick or Treating, a large group of 47 volunteers – some who helped set up, some drove, some went door to door and others unloaded and sorted all the non-perishable food items, worked at the 2^nd Annual Marathon Trick or Eat Food Drive. It was a great success!

Organizer Karen Richard was proud to report that the volunteers collected approximately 4,000 items which translated into an estimated retail value of approximately $10,000.00 worth of non-perishables.

Another Volunteer diligently sorting the many, many bags of donations at Marathon's 2nd Annual Trick or Eat Food Drive organized by Karen Richard. Submitted photos.

The Barrick Hemlo and DH Foods sponsored the event, supported by Marathon Community Collective/Food Bank (OntarioNewsNorth.com was a proud media sponsor for the 2nd consecutive year). Karen Richard credits the wonderful volunteers who stepped forward to generously give their time as well as those neighbours who answered the knocks on their door “This event couldn’t have happened without all the volunteers and all the generous people of Marathon” said Karen adding that “DH Foods, its new owners, were so generous!” Karen explained that the new owners had asked what the Marathon Food Bank would need most and she was glad to give them a list from the Marathon Food Bank, thinking that they would get some of the things on the list – Karen was overwhelmed by the generosity shown by DH Food’s new owners when they provided everything listed. Among those things donated by DH Foods were jars of peanut butter, jam, pasta sauce, boxes of granola bars, juice boxes, pasta and many other items. “Amazing” as Karen put it simply, the same adjective many have used to describe her efforts and work in organizing and coordinating the 2010 and 2011 Trick or Eat Food Drives.

This was the 2^nd year that Karen Richard organized Trick or Eat in Marathon having been inspired after originally hearing of it while on a trip in Southern Ontario. She is also who Manitouwadge Trick or Eat 2010 and 2011 Organizer Natalie Labbée credits with originally inspiring her to organize the event in her community.

Some of the Marathon 2011 Trick or Eat volunteer drivers. Submitted photos.

Volunteers check-in and receive their instructions, bags (provided by Barrick and Signs & Embroidery) and maps to start their collection efforts for the 2011 Marathon Trick or Eat Food Drive. Submitted photo.

CONGRATULATIONS to all those who volunteered their time so selflessly and the generous neighbours and businesses who answered the knocks in 2011 with the estimated TEN THOUSAND $ of non-perishable food donations in Marathon (up from 2010’s already impressive estimated $8,800) and FOUR THOUSAND $ of non-perishable food donations in Manitouwadge (doubling their 2010 collection!) our communities are better equipped to start the winter thanks to your efforts and donations. Food bank representatives thank everyone, reminding us however that Christmas is not far away and they hope the community’s generosity will continue.