Burton's legacy remembered in holiday food drive

Christine Verbrugge said her dad had a vision to help kids become caring and compassionate citizens into their adult lives.

Part of the way he did this was by visiting schools, encouraging children to help those less fortunate by donating food. On July 9, 2010, Edgar Burton passed away from cancer, but his legacy lives on through the Edgar Burton Christmas Food Drive in support of the Sudbury Food Bank.

“There are so many people on the committee, trying to do what one man did,” Verbrugge said.

While no one can replace him, the community has banded together to keep making his dream a reality.

On Dec. 16, Sudbury Food Bank administrator Dan Xilon said 42 tonnes of food had been collected in the past two days — slightly less than half of what had been collected during the entire 2010 campaign.

“We know for sure we'll be somewhere close to last year's total of 84 tonnes,” Xilon said.

These donations will support the 46 agencies under the umbrella of the Sudbury Food Bank, which service just over 14,000 people monthly.

It's possible “Only because of this incredible community we live in,” Xilon said.

Jesse Hamilton, honorary chair of the holiday food drive, along with Angie Robson, agreed that Sudburians “have a heart” for giving.

The donations they make go to supporting those who need it most, he said.

“It means (Sudbury's less fortunate) don't have to worry about where their next meal is coming from,” Hamilton said.

Posted by Heidi Ulrichsen