Pointe-Claire man combs garbage for charity

An 82-year-oldPointe-Claire man has beenrifling through people'strashin the West Island.

But don'tbe alarmed. His goal is to find bottles and cans he cansell to raise money for charity.

Maurice Parkes says it started in 2012 as a competition between friends and "a bit of a joke."

"Afellow from the other congregation challenged me to raise $1,000. Then we did that and weteased him a bit and he said 'I bet you can't raise $10,000.'"

Never one to back down from a challenge, Parkes and his friendsraised more than $12,000.

'A big help,' says food bank

The Christian ActionFood Bank in Pointe-Claire isone of the local charities Parkes supports. VolunteerJackFraser says the help allows the food bank to buy more foodto supplement their deliveries.

People are so kind.I've never seen so much kindness.- Maurice Parkes

"Most churches arestruggling. There's a smaller group of people contributing. With this, there's an added injection of cash," says Fraser.

One of Parkes'friends, Lynn Coughlin, says the initiative is a great way to get out in the community and see how generousthe neighbours are. He says he's often mistaken for someone in need of charity.

"I can understand why they would wonder. You know, 'That poor unfortunate, he seems to need to forage,'" says Coughlin.

'Happiest man in the world'

Parkes, who calls himself"the happiest man in the world,"credits his more than 50-year marriageandthe generosity he sees while combinggarbagebins for his bliss.

He saysstrangers often approach him wanting to help, offeringhome cooked meals or slipping cash into his hands.

"People are so kind.I've never seen so much kindness.Everyone wants to help," says Parkes.

Pointe-Claire man dumpster dives for charity

9 years ago

Duration 2:07

Maurice Parkes, 82, searches for cans and bottles in people's trash to raise money for local charities.