The chair of Southeast Helping Hands in Steinbach is grateful to the community. Hank Klassen says their October food drive, which included significant support from Farm Credit Canada's 'Drive Away Hunger' campaign, brought in over 25,000 pounds of food worth about $50,000. He says this will sustain them until early May, noting they also get a boost in December during Community Christmas. Klassen gives an extra special thank-you to the young people of Steinbach and area.

"Without the youth, the school youth and the church youth, we wouldn't be in existence because they bring in 80 percent of non-perishables into that food bank. So we depend considerably on them."

Klassen adds, while the need for the food bank continues to grow, he is amazed that every time he puts out a call for help on the Steinbach radio stations and steinbachonline, there's an almost instant response.

"Every time that we need something, we come talk to you guys and within a couple of hours we already start seeing results. I'm very pleased that we have that connection with you guys and that people are listening and actually answering the call."