Tyrone Tackles Hunger

KATIE HUNTER The Standard

DURHAM: Tyrone Tackles Hunger is a grassroots approach our family, (the Bell’s), initiated back in 2020. Now running its sixth annual food drive campaign benefiting the Bowmanville Salvation Army Food Bank, running from November 1st until December 6th, 2025. It’s based out of Tyrone but support is also rallied across our northern communities of Haydon, Enniskillen, Burketon, Hampton and places in between!

We have a ‘reindeer mascot’ who we grow our food mountain around to give a festive vibe. We kick start every campaign with a name-the-reindeer-contest, whereby local kids submit name ideas to the Tyrone Tackles Hunger Facebook Group. We launch a poll and the communities vote for their favourite. The kiddo with the winning name launches the campaign, gets their photo with the reindeer and bragging rights and of course showcased across our social media. This year, we welcome “Buck Norris,” submitted by Kylah, to grow our mountain around.

Then, for the month of November, we have three, rain or shine, Monday to Sunday, convenient drop-off locations where people can donate their non-perishable food and hygiene items. We are grateful for the two local businesses who have rallied to use their social media and porches as accessible collection points:

The Bells: 7126 Liberty St., North Bowmanville (Tyrone)

Tyrone Mills: 2656 Concession Rd. 7, Bowmanville (Tyrone)

Timeless Essentials: 2258 Durham Regional Rd. 3, Hampton (Enniskillen)

Each week, we collect the items from the drop-off locations and pile the food around the mascot and post our weekly update on social media so the communities can see the progress. At the end, we box and weigh everything, then present it to the Salvation Army Food Bank.

In our first five years, we’ve collected 6,630 pounds of food items and $5,305 in cash/gift card donations! This is 100 percent volunteer-powered - relying on our Tyrone Tackles Hunger Facebook group and word of mouth to reach our communities. We are incredibly grateful for how our communities have rallied around the idea and continue to thank everyone for their support. We look forward to another awesome campaign.