It’s safe to say that the team at South East Helping Hands will be busy thanks to the community’s incredible generosity. The final Fall Food Drive, presented by Steinbach Toyota, has wrapped up after four days of collecting nonperishable food items for local food banks. On October 9 and 10, the drive was held at Sobeys in Steinbach, where many residents stepped up to support their community and neighbours. Approximately, $1,115 in cash and 2,500 pounds of nonperishable food was donated. Operations Manager for SEHH, Ken Dyck, shares what he feels when he sees their van filled with donations. “Well, first thing comes to mind is how the community comes together for us. Second thing is, more sorting to do, but it's all good. But no, it's the generosity of the city, it's fantastic. The need is there, they come.” Dyck says he often sees familiar faces giving at multiple food drives throughout the year, including the youth food drive. “It's amazing. They just keep giving. It just tells you what they've all done. And to be very honest, I think some of the same people I saw at Superstore at Cram the Cruiser, and they were giving there too. So that's three times. It's unreal.” He adds that these donations make a big difference, helping feed between 350 and 400 families every two weeks. “So, I mean, that's a lot of mouth. Times that by four, and that's how many miles we actually feed. It's unreal.” Dyck says he expects these donations will go a long way. “It'll go till summertime. It's hard to say, once we sort, then we'll have a better idea where we're at. Some stuff will have longer, some stuff might be gone in a couple of times. So, it's hard to say right now, but it's good. Whatever we get, it's fantastic.” With Thanksgiving now taken care of, South East Helping Hands is already preparing for Steinbach Community Christmas. “The undone boxes have been arriving. We've got another seven pallets coming. I've just ordered the tape for taping up all the boxes. There's certain foods that have been ordered already. So yes, we're in full swing. Without people really realizing it, we're in full swing.” For those who couldn’t make it out to the Fall Food Drive, donations are accepted year-round in the Tin for the Bin box at Sobeys. Thank you to the sponsors who make this initiative possible: MNP McMunn & Yates Steinbach A2 Ventures Hanover Screw Pile The Rental House Pearl Transport Friesen Drillers Steinbach Feeds Precision Redi-Mix Pharmasave Steinbach Clearspring Centre Shoppers Drug Mart MIDCAN Powersports With files from Carly Koop