Gus was a philosopher, of sorts. His best thinking was usually brought on by a couple of pops, but he was profound in his Gus-ism sort of way. Actually, he was not unlike baseball hall of famer Yogi Berra -- of the "90 per cent of the game is mental, the other half is physical" fame.

One night on a camping trip, while seated around a campfire, Gus came out with "You know what I don't understand? Food is something we all need, therefore it should be free."

He went on to explain his theory which, essentially, was that nobody should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from.

In some limited manner, that theory has been put into practice with soup kitchens and various assistance programs, but one hinderance to maintaining food supplies through to those who need it is that fact that many of us are just plain filthy stinkin' spoiled.

And I include myself among those masses.

With our family, we certainly try to do everything we can to support the local food banks. We drop off many of the kids' toys for them to resell and contribute food on a regular basis throughout the year, but, like many, it is not until the plight of dwindling resources, or the very important Christmas hamper program and holiday donation campaigns are underway, that we think about it.

For those fortunate enough to have all they want and then some, even those who are willing to donate generously, the issues of those who are in need is very much an out-of-sight-out-of-mind matter.

We have a lot here in Niagara West. Like everywhere our economy is under stress, but solid. We are an hour away from just about everything you could want to do in an entertainment sense. The physical and geographic beauty of our area is second to none.

Life is good, no?

But there are people, good people, living right next door to us, who are in need. Maybe it is food. Maybe it is help with kids' clothes for winter months. There are lots of needs.

A quick canvass of local foodbanks shows they are hurting - stocks of virtually everything at perilously low levels.

The kids up West Lincoln got involved, cramming a school bus full of items and shipping them off to West Lincoln Community Care.

Hats off to them!

The home run by South Lincoln helped make up for a smaller than expected campaign at West Lincoln elementary schools, so things balance out.

Grimsby's situation is similar to that of their counterparts in West Lincoln and Lincoln, in that donations are down while demand is up. Items in-need are: canned tuna/meat; pudding/fruit cups; macaroni and cheese; juice; canned pasta and sauce; canned potatoes; canned pasta and meat; canned vegetables; cereal; and pasta side dishes.

In Grimsby, about 265 homes are served by Grimsby Benevolent Fund's food bank. Provincially, about 40 per cent of those served by food banks are children.

None of this is new. To some it may sound like a bit of a broken record, but one I am willing to play as required. There tons of people out there who do great things, but unless reminded from time to time, food bank contributions is just something that can slip away.

So, make a donation in honour of Gus. He'd appreciate it.