The Portage Home and Business Expo kicks off today, and the local food bank's hoping to see some support. They were invited to be a part of the Portage and District Chamber of Commerce initiative after Chamber Executive Director Cindy McDonald heard about their shortage at the food bank. Major Brenda Coles says they're hoping the business community, along with those in attendance, will be able to help stock their shelves.

"It's kind of this March Madness basketball theme. We need to fill as many baskets of food as we can. A $50 dollar donation would represent one basket of food, and we're accepting non-perishable food items. We're hoping to fill it up. It's kind of the business community's way of supporting the food bank, getting behind it and seeing what they can do to help."

Like the 50 other businesses set up at the expo, Coles notes the Salvation Army will also have a booth set up to discuss their work.

"They're letting us have a little bit of a display, so hopefully we'll have a bit of education around what the Salvation Army is doing, not only here in Portage around food security, but also in the broader area, close-by neighbours like Winnipeg and Throughout Manitoba. It's kind of an education piece too."

She says all those at the exhibit are working to make the community a better place, so it's great to be involved in the event.