THUNDER BAY - Ambulances save lives in more ways than one and this Easter Weekend they were once again getting stuffed to help those in need.
On Saturday, the St. Thomas Church Giving Centre partnered with St. John’s Ambulance for it’s annual Fill an Ambulance/Feed the Hungry Food Drive.
Ambulances were set up at all three Metro locations in the city to provide the public an opportunity to donate food and money for the Giving Centre.
“We give food and do a lunch twice a month to the Westfort area,” said St. Thomas Church volunteer, Marilynn Skedgel. “We do this once a year on the Easter Weekend and it stocks us up with a lot of food for a few month supply.”
Skedgel said more than 75 people attend the bi-monthly lunches and the Giving Centre also provides clothing, toys, pet supplies, housewares and bedding.
“There is a great need in our area,” she said. “We get roughly up to 75 people every two weeks.”
The ambulance at the Arthur Street Metro was nearly two-thirds full by early afternoon, with people stopping by to donate food items, pre-packaged bags prepared by Metro staff, and monetary donations.
Skedgel said the community is always willing to help out and provide for those who use the Giving Centre to not only help make ends meet, but to survive.
“We always receive a lot of donations,” she said.
The Giving Centre is open Friday’s two times a month and serves a free community lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on those days.
