NORTH BAY -- The 22 Wing Canadian Air Force Base North Bay held its roadside food drive Tuesday morning, collecting non-perishable food items from passing motorists.

This marks the 10th year 22 Wing has joined the My Team Cares campaign, formerly known as the Coach4Food Program. In all, 800 pounds of food was collected, along with $2,600 in cash, which translates to 3,300 pounds of food.

"We just like to support them at this time of year especially at Christmas," said Lt. Col. Andrew Lunn. "Their needs go up."

The 51 Air Patrol and Warning Operational Training Squadron took the lead on the initiative to support the food bank.

"With COVID, we weren't sure we were going to be able to have this event," Lunn said. "Here on the base, we're going to have bins where you can still make donations."

Debbie Marson, North Bay Food Bank executive director, said this type of community support is vital.

"We are a local food bank that's funded by our community for our community," Marson said. "We're still seeing new people come in and we have a consistent number of people that have used us quite often and in an ongoing need, and that's unfortunate in its own."

The food collected Tuesday morning will have a significant impact, she added.

"It just says how large our community really believes in what we do and they know without their support, we can't do it," Marson said.

Capt. Jonathan Dargus, 51 Squadron Flight Commander, said it was an honour to help.

"We love giving back to the community," Dargus said. "They've given so much to us and we're taking food and money donations."