Helping those in need for 27 years

By Joel Wittnebel/The Oshawa Express

For nearly three decades, volunteers have gathered during the fall months to collect, sort and distribute clothing to families in need.

This year is no different, and on Oct. 6, the annual Food for Clothing Drive will kick off at 9:30 a.m. at Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School.

Pegged as a family clothing drive, organizers are urging residents to bring in any clothing, whether it’s snowsuits, mitts, gloves, tuques, dress shirts, jeans or T-shirts, boots or sneakers – if it’s clean and in good condition, they’ll take it, says coordinator Jim Fergusson.

“It’s a full clothing, family clothing (drive)…pretty well everything and anything,” Fergusson says.

The drive will be collecting donations until Nov. 6, prior to the official event on Nov. 7.

On that day, residents in need will have the chance to peruse the gymnasium for items their family needs in exchange for a small food donation.

“A lot of people that are in low income and can’t make ends meet, through no fault of their own, and these people, I’m sure, don’t want to feel like they’re taking a handout, so that’s why we ask them to donate some food and we donate it to the food bank, so they’re helping someone else,” Fergusson explains.

Of course, Fergusson says if a donation puts any strain on the families, they are still welcome to take part and find clothing to fill their family’s needs.

A long-time volunteer and coordinator with the drive, Fergusson says he fondly remembers the looks on people’s faces when they visit the gym.

In particular, he recalls a pair of young girls who were brought in by one of their teachers.

“These girls were out for recess and it’s raining and their feet are soaking wet from the holes in their shoes,” he says.

After finding the pair some new shoes, the organizers went further and found new winter boots as well as some new outfits for the young girls.

“You never saw a bigger grin on a girl’s face when they left that gym,” he recalls.

Fergusson says the drive is also looking for more volunteers to help sort items prior to the opening event, which, last year, saw between 12,000 and 14,000 items of clothing.