Residents, businesses, and community partners participated in another successful London Cares Curb Hunger food drive this month to support the London Food Bank.
Between June 8 and June 18, a total equivalent of 76,800 pounds of food was collected with even more fresh produce still expected from the food drive’s Grow-a-Row, Adopt a Plot, and Green Wall initiatives.
“Londoners continue to show compassion and support for their neighbours in need by giving to the London Food Bank,” says Mayor Ed Holder. “Thank you to everyone who donated online, gave at the grocery store, and who is growing food in local gardens to donate. This incredible generosity from residents, corporate donors and community partners year after year helps provide local and nutritional food to many families.”
The breakdown of the 76,800 pounds is as follows:
- Drop-offs to grocery stores, fire halls and the London Food Bank = 11,800 pounds
- Corporate donations = 22,500 pounds
- Community Refresh program = 16,900 pounds
- Financial donations ($66,640 at $2.60 per pound) = 25,600 pounds (equivalent)
Now in its 26th year, the food drive 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. The Curb Hunger campaign supports more than 25,000 individuals in need of food.
“We offer a special thanks to all those who participated in this year’s Curb Hunger food drive,” says Glen Pearson, Co-Director of the London Food Bank. “The food drive is evolving with an important focus on distributing fresh food with the help of Londoners growing food in local greenhouses, community gardens, and in their own backyards for the food bank. We are encouraging Londoners to keep planting and harvesting fresh produce to donate through the Grow-a-Row program this summer to continue the food drive’s local impact.