Staff and volunteers at the Cambridge Food Bank have a reason to smile after receiving a significant donation.
The food bank has been awarded $65,978 through the annual Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign that wrapped up earlier this month.
"We were absolutely thrilled that the community got behind this event and helped us raise much needed funds," Dianne McLeod, executive director of the Cambridge Food Bank, said.
"We're so fortunate to live in a caring and generous community; we couldn't possibly do the work we do without the support of our neighbours."
The bulk of the funds will be directed towards the emergency food hamper program.
McLeod said the food bank is on pace to set a new record for the number of hampers handed out, with the current record having been set last year when it supplied 18,806 to people in need.
As the summer approaches, it's common for donations to slow down considerably, McLeod said. It's another factor that needs to be considered in the food bank's operations and places increased importance on fundraising efforts.
One way it's hoping to increase fresh produce donations is through its "Grow a Row, Give a Row" program.
Residents are encouraged to take up to five free seed packages when they visit the food bank to plant at home. Any excess produce can then be donated back to the food bank.
"Our biggest need continues to be keeping our shelves stocked with nutritious food," McLeod said.
"We're very fortunate to have many generous donors and the need in our community is so great that we distribute food donations very quickly."
Nutrition for Learning, a charitable organization based in Ayr that offers access to nutrition programs in schools located in Waterloo Region, was the other beneficiary of this year's campaign.
Proceeds were split 50/50 between the two organizations, making the total raised just north of $131,000.
