Atlantic Superstores® in Prince Edward Island Kick Off The Extra Helping™ Spring Food Drive
Atlantic Superstore® locations continue to support local food banks to help fight hunger across the province
CHARLOTTETOWN, April 2, 2014 /CNW/ - Today Atlantic Superstore® locations across PEI announced their Extra Helping™ Spring Food Drive which runs from Thursday, April 3 to Thursday, April 24. Food banks provide our neighbours in need with food essentials. To help address the need for donations, Atlantic Superstore®, SaveEasy® and nofrills® stores across the province are calling on Islanders to donate non-perishable food items and funds at checkout.
"As Canada's largest food retailer, we believe we have a responsibility to help in the fight against hunger in Prince Edward Island," says Mark Boudreau, director, Corporate Affairs (Atlantic Canada), Loblaw Companies Limited. "We are active in the communities in which we operate, and with the generous support of our local customers and store colleagues, this is just one way we can make a real difference for those in need."
According to the Prince Edward Island Food Bank Association over 3,500 Prince Edward Islanders rely on a food bank in an average month, up almost three per cent from 2012. Thirty-six per cent of these are children.
"Hunger is a year round reality for far too many families," says Mike MacDonald, general manager, Upper Room Hospitality Ministry in Charlottetown, who also represents the PEI Association of Food Banks. "The Spring Extra Helping™ Food Drive helps our community food banks across PEI replenish stock and fight hunger in communities across the Island. Food supplies are low due to the demands of a hard winter, so adding just one item to the food donation bin or a few extra dollars to your grocery bill will make a big difference to local families in need."
During the food drive on PEI, the following stores will be supporting local food banks in their communities:
- Charlottetown Atlantic Superstore® at 465 University Avenue, Cornwall SaveEasy® and Shawn's nofrills®, Stratford, will be supporting the Upper Room Hospitality Ministry
- West Royalty Atlantic Superstore®, 680 University Avenue, will support the Charlottetown Salvation Army
- Summerside Atlantic Superstore® and Kensington SaveEasy® will collect for the Summerside Salvation Army
- Montague Atlantic Superstore® will support Southern Kings and Queens Food Bank
- Alberton SaveEasy® will collect food and funds for West Prince Caring Cupboard
- Macphee's Market SaveEasy®, Souris, will support the Souris Food Bank
What should customers add to their shopping list? According to the PEI Association of Food Banks, most needed non-perishable food items include: soup, peanut butter, cheese spread, pasta, rice, canned meat, canned stews, canned beans and baby products (food, formula, diapers).
One hundred per cent of food donations and 85 per cent of cash donations will go directly to local food banks within each participating store's community, while the remaining 15 per cent of donated cash will support provincial food bank programs. Thanks to the support and generosity of customers, in 2013, the Extra Helping™ Food Drive raised more than $1.9 million in funds and over 1.5 million pounds of food for food banks across the country. Loblaw Companies Limited and its banner stores hope to raise $1.8 million and 1.8 million pounds of food in 2014.
Loblaw grocery stores have a long history of supporting food banks in their local communities. In 2009, the Company rebranded its efforts under the Extra Helping™ Food Drive, a bi-annual, national campaign to reduce hunger. Since then Loblaw stores have raised more than $7.5 million and more than 7.8 million pounds of food. In addition, through annual corporate donations, Loblaw Companies has contributed $1.37 million to date to Food Banks Canada in support of their National Food Sharing Program.
Loblaw corporate and franchised stores participating in the campaign operate under the following corporate and franchise banners: Loblaws®, Fortinos®, Zehrs Markets®, Your Independent Grocer®, valu-mart®, nofrills®, Extra Foods®, Dominion® (Newfoundland and Labrador), SaveEasy®, Provigo®, Maxi®, Maxi & Cie®, select Wholesale Club™stores, Club EntrepôtMC,, Atlantic Superstore® and Real Canadian Superstore® and select Shop Easy Foods® and Super Valu® stores.
About the P.E.I. Association of Food Banks
The P.E.I. Association of Food Banks represents Prince Edward Island food banks on provincial issues, such as receiving provincial donations, working with Food Banks Canada, and working with the different levels of government.
About Loblaw Companies Limited
Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada's food and pharmacy leader, the nation's largest retailer, and the majority unitholder of Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust. Loblaw provides Canadians with grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel, general merchandise, banking, and wireless mobile products and services. With more than 2,300 corporate, franchised and Associate-owned locations, Loblaw, its franchisees, and Associate-owners employ approximately 192,000 full- and part-time employees, making it one of Canada's largest private sector employers.
Loblaw's purpose - Live Life Well - puts first the needs and well-being of Canadians who make one billion transactions annually in the companies' stores. Loblaw is positioned to meet and exceed those needs in many ways: convenient locations; more than 1,050 grocery stores that span the value spectrum from discount to specialty; full-service pharmacies at more than 1,250 Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix locations and more than 500 Loblaw locations; no-fee banking with PC Financial; affordable Joe Fresh fashion and family apparel; and three of Canada's top consumer brands in Life Brand®, no name® and President's Choice®. Through the PC Plus™ and Shoppers Optimum® loyalty programs, more than one in every three Canadians are rewarded for shopping with the companies.
SOURCE: Loblaw Companies Limited
For more information please contact [email protected] / (905) 459-2500 or
Margaret Poole
(902) 443-1410
[email protected]
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