Oct. 18, 2011 – Farm Credit Canada’s (FCC) Drive Away Hunger program finished the last leg of its eighth annual journey on Friday, Oct.14, with 2.4 million pounds of food collected for food banks nationwide.
FCC Drive Away Hunger involves driving a tractor and trailer through communities to collect food and cash donations for food banks across the country. One hundred per cent of donations go to Canadian food banks.
BDO, Parrish and Heimbecker Limited (New Life Mills), and greenhouse grower Windset Farms™ of Delta, B.C., were on board as national program partners.
Six tours took place in British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec and Regina (FCC Corporate Office location) from Oct. 11 to 14. In addition, FCC collected food and cash donations in every office across Canada from Sept. 19 to Oct. 14.
“Our employees are passionate about this cause, which impacts far too many Canadians,” says FCC president and CEO Greg Stewart. “With their support and the help of our customers, other businesses, schools and community groups, FCC has raised 7.6 million pounds of food since 2004. It’s overwhelming to see so many members of the Canadian agriculture and agri-food industry come together to share their products to feed those who need it most in our communities.”
Last year, food bank usage was the highest on record. Nearly 900,000 Canadians are helped by a food bank each month, and 38 per cent of those individuals are children. That’s over 329,000 children right here at home who regularly have to go hungry. That’s why FCC continues to be so committed to supporting the food banks.
“Canadian farmers deliver safe, high quality food to consumers around the world. Here at home, our farmers are lending a hand to families in need,” said agriculture minister Gerry Ritz. “I commend FCC for working with our farmers and the entire agriculture community to provide such an important service to families across Canada.”
FCC donated $25,000 to Food Banks Canada to support the National Food Sharing System which ensures that surplus food donations get to where they are needed most, including rural communities.
“Food Bank Canada’s programs address both the short-term need for food as well as longer-term solutions, and FCC helps us do both,” says Katharine Schmidt, executive director of Food Banks Canada.
“FCC has long been an important food bank partner, and we’re grateful for this ongoing support.”
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