by Karina Hunter

Pictured are staff and their families from the Manitouwadge Detachment of the MNR keeping warm doing jumping jacks during Saturday’s Food Drive in downtown Manitouwadge.

Conservation officer Marcel DeMars pours some hot chocolate for one of the young helpers, a co-worker's daughter.

In spite of below zero temperatures yesterday, staff and their families, from the Manitouwadge detachment of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), accompanied by ministry mascot Smokey the Bear, set up a tent downtown accepting donations and non-perishable goods for Manitouwadge’s Neighbour to Neighbour Food Bank as part of the MNR Northeastern District’s 2009 Food Drive Challenge.  With Christmas music playing out of Conservation Officer Marcel DeMars’ MNR truck and free hot chocolate being served to donors, the enthusiastic group quickly drew a crowd. By lunch hour, the box of the DeMars’ pick up truck was already overflowing with groceries. 

Smokey the bear chats with a young fan.

The MNR’s Northeastern District encompasses the area from North Bay to Manitouwadge.  Offices across the district are collecting moneys and food until December 15^th, DeMars encouraged anyone who missed them at the Hallmarket Square parking lot to bring their donations to the MNR office on Manitou Road hoping that residents’ community spirit would help put Manitouwadge on the map as the 2009 winner of this very worthwhile challenge “We hope that with our community behind us we can ensure every family in Manitouwadge has food this holiday season” added DeMars.

Submitted to The Echo, 11.28.09

The MNR team was incredibly enthusiastic and their mood quickly spread as people were inspired to give filling the truck with 2 hrs yet to go!