Barrie auto shop supports food bank with truckload of donations

Anil Kumar and his team at Midas on Mapleview Drive West in Barrie were all smiles Friday morning when they unveiled their truckload of food donations in support of the Barrie Food Bank this holiday season.

Kumar, who has owned the south Barrie auto shop for about 16 years launched the Holiday Food Drive, in partnership with the Tesla Owners of Ontario, to collect food and other donations for Barrie’s food bank.

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The results, he said, were tremendous.

Kumar filled an entire pickup truck with food and household items he now plans to deliver to the food bank just in time for the holidays. He also made a pledge to the organization do even more to make a difference.

“We are committed to Barrie Food Bank,” said Kumar. “Ongoing we will be donating one dollar from every oil change and services from our shop. We committed to serving our community, we’re committed to spreading the cheer. We are committed to bring our community up.”

Kumar presented Hunter Markle of the Barrie Food Bank with a $2,000 cheque.

Midas on Mapleview Drive owner Anil Kumar presented a $2,000 cheque to the Barrie Food Bank on Fri., Dec. 20, 2024. (CTV News/Mike Arsalides)

Markle, who serves as the food bank’s manager of fundraising and donor engagement, said 7,400 people were served by the food bank last month in Barrie and close to 40 per cent of those clients were children.

“We have a big goal this Christmas, this holiday season and it’s folks like Anil and Midas that are making it possible for us to reach that goal so we’re certainly so grateful,” she said. “The need is high and it’s across-the-board. It’s here in Simcoe Muskoka one in three are reporting to be food insecure and it’s across our province and our country and this is the time that we need folks to step up and help us feed our neighbours.”

Markle encouraged anyone who is able to donate to the Barrie Food Bank to do so online.

“This shop at Midas Mapleview has been an exemplary store in taking these initiatives, giving back to the community, truly being involved,” said Midas Canada Division VP Mark Pereira who commended the efforts of the south Barrie store’s ownership and staff during its holiday food campaign for making an impact on the lives of deserving people in the community.

Staff with the food bank confirmed one tonne of food was collected through the Midas holiday food drive.

Anil said he plans to expand his charitable donations to the Barrie Food Bank throughout the year.