The Orillia and Area Black Community Association (OBCA) donated 208 pounds of non-perishable food to The Sharing Place Food Centre on Tuesday evening.
The food was donated by participants during the second annual OBCA Community Fest in Couchiching Beach Park on July 13.
OBCA founder Alasoba Kelsy-Braide says she was "shocked" by the generosity of those who donated.
"I didn't know it was going to be that much," she said. "It was amazing to be able to take that to the food bank."
When Kelsy-Braide moved to Canada from Nigeria in 2017, she didn't know anybody or where to find resources.
"People supported me to settle in properly," she said. "That's why it's important to me to give back."
She hopes the donation will help others immigrating to Canada settle into life in their new country.
"When you can help people, it shows that you are a part of the community," she said, "even if it's just a little gift you are giving."
Right now, Kelsy-Braide says, people of all backgrounds are struggling to make ends meet, making The Sharing Place a worthy recipient of such a fundraiser.
"The prices at the grocery store have been going up," she said. "The Sharing Place is a good resource for people who are struggling."
While Kelsy-Braide organized the fundraiser, she stressed it was a collective effort from the community and the OBCA.
"It's a win-win," she said. "This community helped me when I needed it, and now they are helping me give back to others who need it."
She hopes the OBCA can continue its fundraising efforts to help build a stronger community.
"I come from a family where sharing and giving back is important," she said. "I think these kinds of efforts can really unite our community."
More information about the Orillia and Area Black Community Association can be found here.
