Eagles helping people.

For the second year in a row members of the Penticton Fraternal Order of Eagles are joining other clubs throughout North America for the People Helping People Fill Pantries.

On Saturday, Oct. 1 in the parking lot at the corner of Calgary Avenue and Main Street anyone donating a non-perishable items will receive a free hot dog or hamburger.

“That’s what Eagles do, we give back in any way we can and we think this is an especially good cause,” said committee co-chair Charlene McIntosh. “Particularly with the number of people who have difficulty just putting food on the table. This is very much needed.”

Last year’s first event brought in over 4,000 items and McIntosh is hoping to improve on that number.

Proceeds went to the Salvation Army Food Bank and this time around it will be the Society of St. Vincent de Paul food bank which will receive the goods.

“Absolutely there is a need, there is a need everywhere and hopefully this will help,” said McIntosh.

Across the street in the society’s basement headquarters at St. Ann’s Parish, volunteers Pat Lovering and Gloria Dickson are already filling hampers.

“Its pretty steady all the time,” said Lovering. “We deliver to people every Monday Wednesday and Friday. Going to peoples’ homes just gives us a personal contact with our clients. We get to stop in to say hello and see how things are and if there is anything we can do to help.”

Dickson echoed the need:

“You walk into some homes and there is very little, you open the cupboards and there is nothing inside,” she said. “We have a lot of elderly people and there also a lot of single fathers. Just so many people who need help.”

People will be able to donate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.