Boxes of food handed out to those in need in across the north

Helping Hands brings food to those in need The non-profit organization Helping Hands Family Mission in Sudbury saw over 700 cars line up to collect food boxes on Saturday.

SUDBURY — Helping Hands Family Mission is a non-profit organization that is providing food to families who need it most during these difficult times.

In Sudbury, around 700 cars were lined up to receive food that was being handed out by volunteers with Helping Hands Family Mission.

"We get this food out of Toronto from different organizations, Second Harvest and just different places that will call in and give us food donations. We never know what it is until we open up the truck and get it here. Today we are handing out hamburgers, giving away potatoes, we're giving away quiche," said Jamie Fitchett, President of Helping Hands Family Mission.

Helping Hands Family Mission has been handing out food to those in need since 2018, but since the pandemic that need has tripled.

"This is not something that's new it's just gained traction because of the people using our services. Everywhere from Meals on Wheels, to the missions downtown to Harvest Share in Parry Sound, and food banks in Britt. We're all over the place just trying to help when we can," said Fitchett.

Roughly 15 volunteers are on hand each time the organization does a giveaway at Froogle's Discount Store in Hanmer.

"I just came here because I wanted to get volunteer hours at first and I now have probably over a hundred hours and I just enjoy doing work here and giving back to the community," said Daniel Lukoff, Volunteer with Helping Hands Family Mission.

Cars were lined up at the crack of dawn Saturday morning, and people in line were either there getting food for their own family or paying it forward.

"We have a large family and sometimes all of us can't come so as long as one person comes then we share everything we have," said one person in line.

"A lot of people like friends and family don't have the time or the equipment or even you know, they struggle and can't get out, so I help out and I call a few people and help them out," said another person in line.

The organization says it serves between 12,000 and 15,000 people each week and says it will continue to do so as long as it's needed.