The London Cares Curb Hunger campaign begins today supporting the London Food Bank and spreading awareness of the need for fresh and non-perishable food donations in our community.
"The generosity and compassion of our community helps feed thousands of Londoners each year through this important partnership with the London Food Bank," says Mayor Ed Holder. “In times like these, the London Cares Curb Hunger campaign is more important than ever to ensure everyone has access to food and fresh produce.”
“As the need for financial and food donations continues to grow each year, we are focused on increasing our supply of fresh food,” says Jane Roy, Co-Executive Director of the London Food Bank. “This annual food drive supports more than 25,000 individuals who rely on the London Food Bank in addition to some of the most vulnerable in our community that require additional assistance.”
The London Cares Curb Hunger campaign has now helped Londoners for 25 years and is the longest running partnership of its kind in Canada. The annual campaign raises awareness of the London Food Bank and the need for support during the summer months, which is traditionally a slower period for food donations.
Between June 16 and June 26, residents are encouraged to participate in a number of ways:
- Financial Donations - Online donations at www.londonfoodbank.ca are vital and the quickest way to help the London Food Bank acquire fresh food. Financial donations give the Food Bank the necessary resources to help reach London’s most vulnerable, including individuals and families living unsheltered.
- Food Donations - Non-perishable food donations can be left in bins at participating grocery stores. Store locations can be found at www.londonfoodbank.ca. Both fresh and non-perishable foods continue to be accepted at the Food Bank, located at 926 Leathorne Street. Your patience is appreciated when visiting as physical distancing measures continue to be in effect.
- Plant a Row, Grow a Row - Londoners can sign up to help Grow-a-Row for the Food Bank in their backyard or community gardens. Growing your own produce at home is a great activity for families and households, and any extra produce from your garden can be donated to the Food Bank.
- New for 2021, sign up for a hanging Green Wall - The first 50 residents can sign up at the London Food Bank’s website to receive a vertical garden. These Green Walls are a chance to grow fresh vegetables on the side of a wall for the London Food Bank. In the future, larger Green Walls will be available for community groups.
In partnership with Business Cares and as part of the launch of this year’s food drive, the London Food Bank have also unveiled the evolution of community greenhouses in London including their own showcase greenhouse at the Food Bank.
As a reminder, pickup of non-perishable food donations is no longer offered at curbside. This donation option was removed last year due to the gradual decline over the years in the use of the curbside pickup option.
Fire Stations will also not be used as drop off centres this year during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information on this year’s campaign, please visit www.london.ca/fooddrive