The Kent Federation of Agriculture (KFA) celebrated its 10th annual Canada's Agriculture Day by collecting thousands of dollars worth of donations for local charities.
KFA President Jim Brackett and Vice Presidents Kevin Bagnell and Dave Emery were at the Salvation Army Church in Chatham on Tuesday to collect donations.
"We've got probably a couple thousand dollars in product, and we're still waiting for a large delivery of potatoes, like a truckload of them," said Brackett.
Although the final count of donations has yet to be determined, Brackett estimated that they raised roughly $10,000 in monetary and food donations, which will be divided between the Salvation Army and Outreach for Hunger.
"We're told in Chatham-Kent (CK) right now that one in five people have food insecurity. This is the KFA's attempt to help the needy," Brackett explained. "It's also to recognize the importance of the producers for the food and the processors and the people who actually make everything happen."
The donations are critical for the local charities, according to Executive Director of Outreach for Hunger Brenda LeClair.
"We have always been a recipient of the donations," said LeClair. "Not only are we providing food to families who are struggling, but we also want people to recognize and understand where that food source starts and where it comes from."
The donations will be used to make food hampers, with enough food to last a month, helping roughly 1,800 families.
Both LeClair and Brackett noted that events like this are not possible without the support and kindness of CK residents.
The KFA is still accepting donations. Contributions can be sent to the federation's email, kfa@uoguelph.ca, or by phoning in at 519-674-1500.
