Donations to 'Fill the Tundra' being boosted by local businesses

Your donations to help the Sault Ste. Marie Soup Kitchen and St. Vincent Place will go farther with community partners matching online donations, organizers of an annual fundraiser say.

For the ninth consecutive year, Northside Toyota is fighting hunger in our community and kicking off its annual holiday fundraiser, the Great Northern Road dealership said in a news release.

Northside Toyota is matching the first $1,000 donated online to the campaign to kick off the initiative, which collects non-perishable food donations and monetary contributions from the community.

Online donations can be made at this link.

The community’s online donations will be amplified with the support of ASAPP OXP, Fremlin Builders, Provenzano Law, Joe Ruscio Professional Corporation, Soo Mill, SooToday, Spadafora Johnson Lepore LLP, and Stone Wealth Management Group.

You can also support the initiative by helping Fill the Tundra in person.

"Fill the Tundra is a powerful testament to the incredible strength and generosity of our community," said Mario Palumbo, dealer principal. 

"In coming together to fill the bed of the Tundra with canned goods, we are not only stocking shelves but filling hearts with hope. This initiative is a reminder that when a community unites with a shared purpose, we can overcome any challenge.

"Let us transform the Tundra into a symbol of compassion, proving that together, we have the power to make a meaningful impact and nourish the spirit of giving that defines us as a community."

From now until Dec. 15, shoppers are encouraged to drop off donations at Pino’s Get Fresh, Rome’s Independent Grocer and Northside Toyota.

Non-perishable food items can be placed in the back of Fill the Tundra vehicles that will be at each of the three locations.

Both St. Vincent Place and the Sault Ste. Marie Soup Kitchen are happy to receive any donation, however the items they often run out of include canned milk, granola bars, peanut butter and jam, according to the release.

Shoppers at Pino’s and Rome’s can also make monetary donations at the checkout of either store.

Organizers said all donations will stay in the community, supporting both the Sault Ste. Marie Soup Kitchen and St. Vincent Place.