Shelves packed at Montague food bank
Robert Benoit’s campaign collects more than 3,500 pounds of food, clothing, school supplies and $ 3,750 in cash
MONTAGUE — It all began with a word of mouth collection for the local food bank here.
Robert Benoit climbed into his family van and drove around picking up donations from homes and businesses around the town.
That was four years ago, and the native Newfoundlander has since turned it into an Islandwide affair this year that has helped stock shelves with everything from food staples to clothing and even school supplies.
“My intent was always to spark groups or businesses to take it on by themselves,’’ said Benoit this week.
“And it’s good to see that happening now; more and more clubs and schools and businesses are doing their own drives.”
But that didn’t stop Benoit from raising $ 3,750
The shelves won’t be bare for quite a while now. We were getting quite low. Lawrence Power, manager, Montague Food Bank
this fall for the Montague food bank and bringing in more than 3,500 pounds of food.
“The shelves won’t be bare for quite a while now,’’ said Lawrence Power, manager of the Montague food bank. “We were getting quite low.”
Benoit isn’t throwing in the towel, but is hoping there will be enough food drives by others to keep the flow coming year after year.
“I got involved because I know what’s it like to come to a food bank and need help,’’ he said. “We’re OK now, but I will never forget that experience.”
This fall, the food drive went beyond just filling the dinner plates. Donations of clothing came pouring in, as well as the costly expense of school supplies.
“I don’t know how people can keep up with all the costs,’’ said Benoit, a truck driver with Kent Building Supplies in Montague.
When he started his campaign in 2009, Benoit wanted to raise awareness about the significant need at Island food banks. Looking at the stocked shelves in Montague here this week, he thinks the word is out.