CARP – A Carp area Christmas food drive is being led by the youth of the community.

Every year the St. Nicholas Day Food Drive is a big part of the community and the Carp Christmas Parade. It is a joint effort of many of the community’s youth.

“The St. Nicholas Day Food Drive in Carp is a joint effort of Huntley Centennial Public School, 1st Carp Scouts, the Anglican Parish of Huntley (St. James Church), St. Paul’s Church and the West Carleton Food Access Centre,” 1st Carp Scouts group commissioner Ross Trusler told West Carleton Online yesterday (Dec. 9). “Food is collected in early December and distributed in baskets to families identified by the Food Access Centre.”

Huntley Centennial Public School Grade 4 and 5 students distribute flyers and bags the week prior. The 1st Carp Scouts, Cubs and Beavers collect the food the same day as the 11th Annual Carp Santa Claus Parade starting around 9 a.m. The parade is Saturday, Dec. 14 starting at noon.

St. Paul’s Church provides lunch for the volunteers. St. James Church assembles the food into baskets and delivers them to the homes of about 100 families. The remainder of food is delivered to the West Carleton Food Access Centre.

“The 1st Carp Scouts participates in Carp’s Food Drive to live out the principle of duty to others — to help other people every day,” Trusler said. “Community service is a component of the Scouting youth program for ages five to 26.”

Donors are reminded not to include food items beyond their best before date, as they cannot be distributed.