Brighton and Trenton rallied yesterday to support a growing number of local families in need at our All Hands on Deck Food Drive.
Hosted at Chris and Angela’s No Frills and Sobeys in Brighton, and at Smylie’s Your Independent Grocer in Trenton, the Oldies 100.9 and Workman’s OK Tire and Workman Engine Machine’s All Hands on Deck Food Drive was held in support of the Brighton Fare Share Food Bank and Trenton Care and Share Food Bank.
And the drive is already making a difference locally.
Brighton Fare Share Food Bank Manager Pat Artkin says food bank shelves look a little different – in an “unbelievable” way.
Just ahead of the drive, Artkin shared this message: “Certainly, we are in need. Our shelves are becoming empty … and people who normally donate to us are not able to for reasons that we all know: It’s expensive just to live anymore.”
The tally is in from the 2025 edition of the food drive, and despite struggles, a combined total of more than $1,540 in cash was collected and more than 1,365 pounds of food throughout the day, thanks to residents’ incredible generosity.
What’s more, Sobeys made its annual donation in conjunction with the event, announcing more than $9,000 to help the food bank, and ultimately, people and families in need ahead of back-to-school.
The annual food drive, which aims to help amid slowing donations in summer and just before kids head back to class and household expenses increase as a result, also rallied several sponsors and community partners, such as Northumberland-Clarke MP Philip Lawrence.
The All Hands on Deck Food Drive has become a summer tradition for My Broadcasting Corporation (MBC.)
Trenton Care and Share Food Bank General Manager Craig Olivier says the timing is critical.
As food, housing, utility and all-around living costs across the board continue to soar, food bank volunteers are seeing more people looking for help, including a rise in working families with kids.
A huge shoutout goes out to the Brighton and Trenton communities, residents, volunteers, businesses and more, who rallied once again to put a dent in food insecurity locally and give our hard-working food bank volunteers and local families some help.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
