Nearly 250 articles of new winter clothing will benefit clients of the Centre Wellington Food Bank. The donation, retailing $5,000, was made by the Grand River Agricultural Society, owner/operator of Grand River Raceway, on November 26 at the Elora track.

The lot includes 81 winter coats, 44 pairs of boots, 26 snow pants, 61 hats and 32 pairs of gloves — all in an array of sizes for infants, children and adults.

Jackie Andrews, the chairperson of the Food Bank Board of Directors and the co-ordinator of the Christmas Hamper Program, said the donation comes on the heels of the organization’s recent call for winter gear.

“We had some clients in looking for coats, and I just sent out a simple email last Friday night looking for gently used items. I just put out one email and it has grown exponentially from there,” Andrews said.

“It shows what an amazing community we are. You may not see it here as obviously as you may in Toronto or a bigger place like that, but there are people here who are struggling,” Andrews explained. “These donations will really benefit the Centre Wellington Food Bank family.”

For more information about the Centre Wellington Food Bank, visit its website or call 519-787-1401.

The Grand River Agricultural Society is a not-for-profit corporation incorporated under the Agricultural Societies Act of Ontario and operated by a volunteer board of directors.

(Grand River Raceway)