Local Liberals Going Door-to-Door for Food Drive in Owen Sound, Meaford & Wiarton
A new food drive led by the local Liberal association hopes to ease pressure on food banks as nearly 1 in 5 Grey-Bruce households face food insecurity.
The Bruce Grey Owen Sound Federal Liberal Association is organizing a door-to-door food drive across several communities in response to growing demand at local food banks.
The “Neighbours Helping Neighbours” food drive will collect non-perishable food items in Meaford, Owen Sound, and Wiarton. Volunteers will deliver all donations directly to food banks in each area.
The initiative is being led by the local riding association of the federal Liberal Party. Organizers have stated the event is intended as a community effort, not a partisan campaign.
Regional data shows an increasing need
In Grey-Bruce, approximately 18% of households experience food insecurity, according to Public Health.
In Owen Sound, demand for food bank services has sharply increased. The Salvation Army reported helping 1,004 people in October 2024, a 42% rise compared to the same month in 2023 (Bayshore Broadcasting News Centre).
The Meaford Food Bank & Outreach served 310 households in 2024, including 96 new households. In total, 782 individuals accessed the service that year — more than 500 more than in 2019.
In Wiarton, the Bruce Peninsula Community Food Bank, operated by the Salvation Army, serves around 250 residents each month and distributes about 2,500 kilograms of food monthly.
Speaking to local media, Roni Delleman, Community and Family Services Manager, said: “That’s a lot of empty shelves we have right now to give out that much food.”
Community participation encouraged
According to the organizing association, the food drive is meant to highlight the scale of local food insecurity while encouraging residents to contribute through donations or volunteer efforts.
Neighbours Helping Neighbours door to door campaign/drive will be on November 8 from 10 am to 2 pm only and routes will not be posted.
The Bruce Grey Owen Sound Federal Liberal Association is the official federal electoral district association for the Liberal Party of Canada in the area.