The annual youth fall food drive is happening this week throughout Steinbach, Blumenort, and Mitchell. Youth from many churches throughout each community will come knocking on doors to collect non-perishable food items in support of Southeast Helping Hands. Kyle Penner, Co-Pastor of Grace Mennonite Church is one of the organizers of this event. "This year there are 14 churches participating. Big churches, small churches, across the theological spectrum. And we all believe that our faith compels us to make sure that our neighbours aren't hungry." Hundreds and thousands Last year’s youth fall food drive brought in 21, 000 lbs of food. “... the biggest collection event for the food bank and we're happy to do that. And so, this year we're excited to help to do that again with them.” Says Penner. Additionally, Penner notes that hundreds of teenagers are involved in the food drive every year. “They love it. They love seeing the generosity of people. They love seeing that they are part of a cause bigger than themselves.” Modelling generosity for the next generation Penner says one of his favourite parts of the food drive is taking parents along and helping them model generosity to and with their teenaged children. "We love modelling to them that when we have enough, when we have extra, that our first posture is not to build a bigger wall, but rather our first posture is to build a bigger table.” Penner says Grace Mennonite is on the schedule for this evening. " We have about 20 [or] 25 teenagers going out. We have to hit up 400 houses tonight. If anybody wants to donate, they can leave the food on their front step and we won't ring your doorbell in case you're not home or in case you have children sleeping. If there's no food in front of your house, then we will knock on the door and ask.” He says this will take them just two hours to complete. The gift is in the giving For Penner, being able to help organize the youth fall food drive is something to be grateful for. “It's a gift to be part of a such generous community. It's a gift to work with Southeast Helping Hands who make sure that people have food. It's a gift for us to model to our young people, how we take care of each other, and how we look out for each other, and how life is not about pursuing our own individuality and our own bucket lists, but rather life is about how we help others and how we love others. It's all just, this whole thing is just a gift to participate in.” Penner has advice to offer when it comes to choosing which food items to donate. "Any non-perishables are welcome. We do ask that if it's expired, you don't give it. And that if it's really gross and you don't want to eat it, don't give it. Because we think that the food that we give to our neighbours should be food that we would eat ourselves.” Coming together in faith Penner remarks warmly that he’s particularly grateful to see local churches coming together for a common cause at this time of year. “Often our churches, often we're all doing our own things. And it's really cool for us to say, ‘you know what, we're part of something bigger than ourselves.’ And that we are all neighbours together. That's a really cool piece about this.” How to help To get involved in the youth fall food drive, simply leave your non-perishables outside your door for them to be collected. If your home is missed, or you’re unable to purchase your donations in time, you can get involved with Southeast Helping Hands directly, here: South East Helping Hands - How You Can Help