Media Release | Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands Donates Proceeds from Touch A Truck Event to Local Food Banks

September 11, 2026 – Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands Donates Proceeds from Touch A Truck Event to Local Food Banks

Lansdowne - The Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands is proud to announce the donation of $1200, as well as collected food items, to two local food banks following the Township’s popular Touch-a-Truck event, held in May of this year.

On Monday, September 8, 2026, Township representatives and the Gananoque and Area Food Bank came together for a photo opportunity to highlight the proceeds raised at the community event and BBQ.  The cheques to R.O.L.L. Aid Food Bank and the Gananoque and Area Food Bank were sent out just after the event in May, along with donated non-perishable food items, which were split equally between the two organizations.

The annual community event, which is held during Public Works week, brings families together to explore emergency and municipal vehicles while supporting an important community cause.  Since the event’s inception, Touch A Truck has raised funds and collected food donations for the local food banks.

“The food banks in our community provide an essential service to our residents, and we are grateful for the work they do”, said Mayor Gatcke Smith.  “We are seeing an increasing number of community members turning to food banks for assistance.  This highlights just how important these services are to our community.”

The Township recognizes the growing need for food bank services and is proud to continue using Touch A Truck as an opportunity to give back.  The event’s success is made possible by the generosity of residents, families, volunteers, staff, and participating organizations, including United Counties Leeds Grenville Paramedic Services, OPP Leeds Detachment, Leeds Fire Service and, new this year, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Border Integrity Unit.

“The support shown by our community at Touch A Truck is a wonderful example of what we can accomplish when we come together, said  Aaron Hatton, Manager of Roads and Fleet, Drainage Superintendent.

Pictured L- R:  Mayor, Corinna Smith-Gatcke, Acting CAO, Marnie Venditti, Manager of Roads and Fleet, Drainage Superintendent, Aaron Hatton, Gananoque & Area Food Bank representative, Robin Banavage

For more information, contact:

Marnie Venditti, Acting Chief Administrative Officer
Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands
613-659-2415 ext. 212
cao@townshipleeds.on.ca

Corinna Smith-Gatcke, Mayor
Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands
613-561-4980
csg@townshipleeds.on.ca