A lawn side food drive is helping to gather donations for the Barrhaven Food Cupboard one drop-off at a time. 

Mark Cogan started the grassroots’, weekend food drive after last month's Barrhaven Santa Claus Parade was cancelled because of bad weather. 

"We saw over social media that they were really hurting for good and so being from Barrhaven since I was small, and having social media, we decided to do something small, ourselves, to help," Cogan said. 

A steady stream of neighbours and strangers stopped by Cogan's house over the weekend to donate non-perishable food items. On Saturday alone about eight Rubbermaid containers and one hockey bag of food were collected. 

"It's kind of a sign of the community of Barrhaven,” he said. "Everyone just wants to help."

The President of the Barrhaven Food Cupboard, a volunteer run organization, said the parade usually generates about 3,500 pounds of food and approximately $2,400. It also generates awareness about the organization and about the growing demand for its services.

"We keep going up 10 per cent every year. It's not good," said David Sereda, the President of the Barrhaven Food Cupboard. 

Businesses in the community have also stepped up their collection efforts. A local Pharmasave has started a challenge with other retailers to match its employees donations for food hampers, while the local Boston Pizza is offering food vouchers to people who bring in frozen turkeys to donate. 

"It brings a tear to my eye that Barrhaven is a great place to live, and that the people and the businesses are great and they just really want to help," said Sereda. 

The Barrhaven BIA, who puts on the parade, in conjunction with its business sponsors, also donated $8,000 to the cupboard after the parade was cancelled. 

"I was really heartened to see that the business sponsors of the parade elected to redistribute their funds to the food cupboard, which was great," said Simon Beaulieu, a local business owner and co-director of the Barrhaven BIA's marketing committee. 

Cogan’s fundraiser wrapped up Sunday at 4. Donations can be made at the food cupboard and at a variety of businesses in the community.