Over the weekend, the Rosetown Fire Department went door to door collecting donations to help aid the local food bank.

The truck travelled around town from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, picking up any food that was being offered by the people of Rosetown. Following social distancing procedures, the donations were left just outside the front doors for the firefighters to collect.

The collection went very well, as the Fire Department was able to collect dozens of boxes of food, as well as $1050 in monetary donations.

Kimiko Otterspoor, a member of the Fire Department, expressed her enthusiasm and gratitude towards the community’s cooperation.

“It was fantastic! I can’t believe the support we received from the community! I am so proud to be a part of Rosetown. We got so much food. We had people that had forgotten to put it out, and they were chasing us down on the streets, and leaving it out for us to pick up in the middle of the road. It was a huge, huge success.”

Otterspoor explained that Fire Captain Duayne Leys came up with the idea after getting a call from the food bank asking to help replenish their stock. She also mentioned that the Fire Department could do it again if another food drive is needed.

“We don’t, obviously, have a solid plan to do anything again. Not that we wouldn’t do it again, of course. If it was needed, we’re always willing to help out in the community.”

With many people either working from home or laid off, food banks are getting ready for a much higher demand. Otterspoor said that she was very proud to be part of a community that is able to come together and support each other during a time of great uncertainty.