Heather Wright/The Independent

There were boxes of tuna and bags of cookies carried in little hands to help their neighbours.

The students of Queen Elizabeth II School in Petrolia made their way to the Petrolia Community Refrigerator Tuesday with 34 wagonloads of food to give to their neighbours.

It’s the fourth year Laurel Mailloux helped organize the food drive. And it is the biggest one yet.
In the second year, the school competition brought in 15 wagons of food. Last year, food-filled 27 wagons arrived. And the school surpassed the goal again this year.

Larry Leckie says this is the largest food drive for the Petrolia Community Refrigerator. “The timing is excellent because it is just before Christmas and that’s when budgets are strained the use of the fridge is so high.”

And Leckie says it is higher than usual in this tough economy.

“I come here almost every day and there are people – I’ve never seen them before.” That includes people who are “coach surfing” and families trying to make ends meet.”

Mailloux says they’re glad to help.

“I just think it is amazing for our community, that the kids are able to support our community.”