3rd annual donor awards honour Farm Credit Canada, Loblaw Companies Limited, and Target Canada
TORONTO, Feb. 5, 2014 /CNW/ - Food Banks Canada announced the recipients of its third annual Corporate Donor awards to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of its corporate donors in addressing hunger in Canada. The Corporate Donor awards recognize donors in three categories: Award of Excellence, Donor of the Year and Innovator of the Year.
In Canada, close to 850,000 Canadians turn to a food bank each month for assistance, and over 3.9 million are food insecure. With a significant need across the country to feed Canadians and find long term solutions to reduce hunger, many Canadian businesses have stepped forward to find ways to help alleviate the immediate need across the country.
"Every day we are reminded of the considerable need to provide assistance to Canadians who are living with hunger and I am proud to be able to recognize a number of our outstanding corporate supporters who have offered their commitment to this issue," says Brian Fraser, Chair of the Board, Food Banks Canada. "On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of men, women and children who are assisted each and every day, thank you to our leading partners who have joined us in alleviating hunger."
This year's award recipients:
The Award of Excellence was presented to Farm Credit Canada (FCC) for its long-term commitment in raising food and funds to support the food bank network across the country. FCC has been a supporter at both the national and local level through its Drive Away Hunger food drive which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2013. FCC employees across the country lead the charge on this campaign each fall and with their outstanding commitment the annual food drive raised over $1.7 million and almost 2.5 million lbs of food in 2013.
The Donor of the Year was awarded to Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) to acknowledge the success of its twice annual national Extra Helping food and fund drive. In 2013, the campaign realized its most successful year since launch by raising more than $1.9 million and more than 1.5 million pounds of food. Year after year, Loblaw continues to invest in and evolve their Extra Helping program, seeking new ways to help increase support to local food banks by raising more essential food and funds. Additionally, Loblaw continues to be the leading supporter of the National Food Sharing System, a national food acquisition program that ensures food is distributed to food banks right across the country
The Innovator of the Year was presented to Target for its unique approach to philanthropy and community. Before entering the Canadian market, Target identified hunger as a priority area for community investment. Target's forward thinking approach to community has been well-received by local food banks through its participation in Food Banks Canada's Retail Food program. Excellent staff training coupled with its innovative and creative approach has led to very successful partnerships across the country with Target becoming a leader in providing much-needed perishable and non-perishable foods to local food bank.
Congratulations to all our donors who have committed to addressing hunger in Canada through their high impact initiatives that raise funds, food and awareness.
The awards were presented at Food Banks Canada's annual Celebrating our Partners breakfast. To view the thank you video visit www.facebook.com/foodbankscanada.
About Food Banks Canada
Food Banks Canada supports a unique network of over 3,000 food-related organizations in every province and territory that assists close to 850,000 Canadians each month. Together our network shares over 200 million pounds of essential safe quality food annually, provides social programs that help to foster self-sufficiency, and advocates for policy change that will help create a Canada where no one goes hungry. Visit foodbankscanada.ca for more information.
Image with caption: "Brian Fraser, Food Banks Canada, Greg Stewart, President, Farm Credit Canada, Katharine Schmidt, Food Banks Canada (CNW Group/Food Banks Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140205_C7835_PHOTO_EN_36310.jpg
Image with caption: "Katharine Schmidt, Food Banks Canada, Nicole Donaldson, Loblaw Companies Ltd, Peggy Hornell, Loblaw Companies Ltd, Brian Fraser, Food Banks Canada (CNW Group/Food Banks Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140205_C7835_PHOTO_EN_36312.jpg
Image with caption: "Brian Fraser (Food Banks Canada), Diane Gordon (Target), Valérie Dubreuil (Target), Jinty Smith (Target), Katharine Schmidt (Food Banks Canada), Sara Haggard (Target), Derek Jenkins, Erin Truax (Target) (CNW Group/Food Banks Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140205_C7835_PHOTO_EN_36314.jpg
SOURCE: Food Banks Canada
Marzena Gersho
Media Relations
(m) 647-242-5919
(w) 905-602-5234 x228
Twitter @foodbankscanada
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About Food Banks Canada Food Banks Canada provides national leadership to relieve hunger today and prevent hunger tomorrow in collaboration with the food bank network from coast-to-coast-to-coast. For 40 years, food banks have been dedicated to helping Canadians living with...
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