Porch Pirates for Good Set Sail Saturday in Peterborough and They Need One Thing From You: Food

By Scott Arnold

Kawartha Food Share’s Porch Pirates for Good food drive returns Saturday, October 24th, and residents can take part by leaving a bag of non-perishable food on their front porch for volunteers to collect starting at 9am.

Volunteers are the heart of Porch Pirates for Good, helping collect donations from doorsteps across Peterborough and deliver them to Kawartha Food Share. (photo courtesy of Kawartha Food Share)

The idea is simple: as volunteer “porch pirates” travel across Peterborough, they’ll pick up donations from doorsteps throughout the city and deliver them to Kawartha Food Share to help restock its warehouse.

Now in its seventh year, the annual food drive has collected more than 190,000 pounds of food and over $20,000 in monetary donations over the past six years.

With food costs continuing to put pressure on households and food banks facing increased demand, those donations can make a real difference for people in Peterborough City and County.

1. Peterborough residents can take part in Porch Pirates for Good by leaving a bag of non-perishable food on their front porch for volunteers to collect starting at 9am on Saturday, October 24th. (photo courtesy of Kawartha Food Share

What to Do Tomorrow

Taking part in Porch Pirates for Good is easy.

1. Fill a bag with non-perishable food donations.

2. Leave it on your front porch at 9am on Saturday, October 24th.

3. Attach the Porch Pirates for Good flyer if you received one, or use another way to make the donation easy for volunteers to identify.

Volunteers will travel across the city to collect donations and bring them back to Kawartha Food Share.

Leave a bag of non-perishable food on your front porch at 9am on Saturday, October 24th, and attach the Porch Pirates for Good flyer or another clear label so volunteers can easily identify your donation. It’s that simple. (photo courtesy of kawartha food share)

What Does Kawartha Food Share Need Most?

Every donation helps, but some items are especially needed right now.

• Peanut butter

• Canned tuna

• Canned vegetables and fruit

• Individually wrapped, nut-free, school snacks

• Mac & Cheese

• Apple Sauce

• Pasta and pasta sauce

• Breakfast cereal

• Gluten-free items, including pasta, cookies and oats

• Canned soup and stew

Kawartha Food Share supplies 37 member agencies and 51 schools across Peterborough City and County. Replenishing its warehouse is particularly important heading into the colder months and the holiday season, when many people need additional support.

You Can Still Help Even Without a Food Donation

If you cannot participate in the doorstep food drive, you can make a monetary donation online at kawarthafoodshare.com/donations.html.

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One Bag Can Make a Difference

Porch Pirates for Good works because neighbours are willing to help neighbours. A bag of groceries left on a doorstep may not seem like much, but when donations come in from across Peterborough, they help Kawartha Food Share get more food to the people and families who need it.

Saturday morning, Peterborough residents have a simple way to be part of that effort: fill a bag, leave it out at 9am and let the porch pirates take it from there.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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