It’s been a busy few days for the Northumberland Fare Share Food Bank, but the need is still there.
Meghan Flindall, Executive Director of Northumberland Fare Share Food Bank said there were multiple events since Friday, November 28, 2025 up to Sunday.
With the Candlelight Festival taking place in Port Hope on Friday, on Saturday, the CPKC Holiday Train stopped in Cobourg, the Port Hope Santa Claus Parade and the Cobourg Santa Claus Parade and on Sunday there was a showing of Elf at Rainbow Cinemas.
The Candlelight Festival and Walton Street Party brought in 190 pounds of food and $362 in donations.
The CPKC Holiday Train brought in 2,100 pounds of food, $4,007.50 in donations and a $5,000 cheque from the CPKC Holiday Train.
The Port Hope Stand Claus Parade brought in 396 pounds of food and $1,393.15 in donations.
The Cobourg Santa Claus Parade brought in 376 pounds of food and $1,419.05 in donations.
The Elf move fundraiser brought in 289 pounds of food along with $70 in donations.
In total, 3.351 pounds of food was collected and $12,251.70 was collected.
Flindall said it was an amazing weekend and with the CPKC Holiday Train stopping in Cobourg for the first time.
“The results were incredible. As always we are so lucky to have the amazing community we do have here.
Thousands of pounds of food and thousands of dollars and now we’re on the tail end side sorting through everything.”
Flindall said she’s very appreciative to everyone who helped over the passed few days, but as full as the shelves are today, in a few short days it will change and the need continues.
“What we often see in Food Banks – come post January, food drives slow down, donations slow down.”
A lot of donations come in from October through to December and as much as possible that food is extended over a period of time.
“We always encourage people, if you’re a big supporter of the Food Bank think about donating monthly with some of the summer months can be a lot leaner for us.”
For the first time, the number of people the Food Bank has helped this year is over 4,000.
The one constant with the food bank for anyone thinking of donating is canned meats, protein, canned beans and baked beans.
“Right now we’re going through a lot of lunch things like soup and Kraft dinner.”
Each week, volunteers at the Northumberland Fare Share Food Bank are so busy with all the food that comes in on Tuesday, but by Friday, “everything has cleared out.”
“It’s a delicate balance to keep things full.”
But Flindall says she is forever grateful to the Northumberland community.
“People are just really kind and thoughtful about their neighbours and community.”
“I often hear things like, we live in a small town and it’s that small town feel and that small town mentality making sure that nobody gets left behind.”
“And I think that’s incredible.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
