Niagara-on-the-Lake Hydro is again collecting non-perishable food and unwrapped toy donations as part of its annual pre-Christmas charity drive.

Donors can drop off items at the utility’s headquarters on Henegan Road in Virgil until Dec. 9.

And the next day, hydro volunteers will collect donations during NOTL’s annual Christmas Parade through Old Town.

Hydro’s float will be near the front of the parade.

The main recipient of the collected items is Newark Neighbours, said hydro spokesperson Brodie Mosher.

Project SHARE and Gillian’s Place also receive some of the goods collected.

“We usually have a great response and a large portion of donations is achieved during the Christmas Parade,” Mosher said.

Residents have been generous during COVID when there hasn’t been a regular parade, but overall the donations were lower, he said.

“We’re hopeful for good weather this year to boost donations.”

He noted times are a little tougher this year.

“We’ve heard many stories from the United Way where people that normally donated were now in the position that they need food bank help,” Mosher said.

While the United Way isn’t a beneficiary of NOTL Hydro’s annual drive, he expects other charities across Niagara are seeing similar levels of need.

“The drive helps a lot of people and we’re happy that it’s something that we can do for the community.”