DUNNVILLE—A crowd of volunteers gathered to transport a whopping 2,985 pounds of food from Dunnville resident Rhonda Hajling’s living room to the food bank on Friday, February 27, 2026.
Throughout February, 56 participants took up the call to join Hajling’s annual grassroots food drive, which marked its fifth anniversary with the biggest haul yet. Hajling was already thrilled to cross the 2,000-pound threshold last year.
“I have no words for the generosity of my friends and family. The donations that were dropped off to support this community food drive blew me away,” said Hajling of this year’s accomplishment. “When I figured that we wouldn’t collect as much as last year, they all stepped up and proved me wrong.… Absolutely incredible! That is going to go so far in helping to keep the food bank shelves full over the next few months.”
The drive works as a ‘reverse advent calendar’ with participants gathering an item a day over the month of February for donation. Of course, Hajling is happy to receive any donation, large or small, toward the effort.
Hajling was surprised to learn upon arrival at the Dunnville Salvation Army Food Bank that others had donated directly to the food bank in support of her drive as well.
Hajling’s 4-year-old grandchild, Harrison Barbas, was front and centre throughout delivery day, enthusiastically helping carry items. He also contributed a bag of hand-picked donations with his favourite cereal and snacks.
—Haldimand Press photo by Mike Renzella.
Hajling believes taking part in the drive is a good lesson to help teach children that not all children are equally fortunate. She said, “Some children can’t always get the foods they want. If their situation involves a food bank, then sometimes they have to take what is there, not necessarily what they want.”
Hajling chooses to do the drive in the winter months following Christmas, as that can be an especially hard time for food banks who see a drop in donations following the holiday season despite continued high demand.
This year’s success has only bolstered Hajling’s belief in the importance of community efforts like hers and the power of people working together.
She is already looking ahead to 2027, with her sights set on breaking a new record. If you would like to join in, simply send a text with your name and number to 905-774-3081 to be notified when next year’s drive launches.
“I feel very fortunate to be surrounded by such a caring, compassionate, and huge hearted group,” said Hajling. “Each year we keep getting better despite the troubling economy. That speaks volumes about those involved! I am glad to have my home return to normal, but will definitely be back at it next year!”
