Timmins High and Vocational School students are prepared for an annual Easter tradition. On Thursday (April 2), they will be visiting eight areas of the city in search of food and cash donations. “They’re going from, Mount Joy across the bridge to, the Melrose area so, the kids will knock on the door, they’ll be identified with the lanyard that says Timmins High, and they’ll just be asking for food or a donation,” said James Aston, a teacher at the school and organizer of ‘Operation Food for Friends.’ The school has been conducting this fundraiser for 22 years. This year, it’s in support of the Timmins Food Bank, the Community Food Bank at First Baptist Church and the high school’s own food bank – ‘The Closet’ – located within the school. “A lot of students like going during their lunch breaks, going looking around for clothes,” said student president Shreya Gautam. “It’s kind of like a shop area, but, like, for students that actually need it as well. It’s very helpful. The food part as well, like the food is provided to anyone that needs it.” Timmins Food Bank officials said this initiative comes at a good time. “I’ll tell you, this food drive coming up with TH&VS, I don’t know how James Aston does it, but he gets all the students involved and they do a great job for us,” said Timmins Food Bank chairman Rick Young. “Our biggest jump is homelessness. Probably about 40-45 per cent. I don’t even know the reason for it, but we’re getting new people every week,” Young added. Aston said students typically collect around 2,000 pounds of food and the hope is to bring in even more since the need in the city is great. “It’s just a fun experience for students to like get out and feel part of the community,” said Gautam. “A lot of people in the community leave food out on their porches if they’re not available to give it out that at that time.” Young added, the Timmins Food Bank serves up to 160 clients every Wednesday and gives out dozens of lunches every Saturday and Sunday.
