A free food bank that serves Halton Hills residents, including in Acton and Georgetown, has received a $10,000 donation from the Zonta Club of Oakville, the Compassion Society of Halton says.

The society, which operates from 1881 Fairview Street, Units 4 and 5, in Burlington, also serves Burlington, Oakville and Milton. Besides its Food Market, its programs include Mina's Closet and Community Connections.

Zonta clubs are local chapters of an international service organization that works to improve the lives of women and girls. According to the society, the Oakville club's treasurer, Donna Kirichenko, and president, Theresa Valley, presented the cheque.

"At Compassion Society of Halton, we rely on the generosity of our community to keep our doors open and ensure we can provide help where it's needed, when it's needed," the society says.

Sara Collyer became the society's executive director in October. She brings more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership in community services, food security, fundraising and regional partnerships, the society says. She was the first executive director of Open Doors Community Hub in Burlington and co-founded the former Feeding Halton Collaborative, which coordinated food security work across the region.

In announcing her hiring, the society said her experience is what it needs as it works to become the centre of the network of agencies and partners helping to reduce poverty in Halton.

Residents who want to help this season can give to the society's Holiday Gift Program: Walmart, President's Choice and Dollarama gift cards received by Friday, Dec. 4, will have the most impact, it says. Halton residents who need food can visit the Fairview Street location; first visits are walk-in only.