Holiday Drive raises over $1 million and 1 million pounds of food

TORONTO, Dec. 28 /CNW/ - Today Daily Bread's executive director, Gail Nyberg, announced to a crowd of volunteers that the Holiday Drive has succeeded in raising over a million pounds of food and a million dollars.

"I am confident that with the donations from the Holiday Drive, we will be able to deliver food to our over 170 member agencies until mid-March. For people who use food banks in Toronto, that's very good news."

Struggling under the weight of a 16 per cent increase in client visits, a Fall Drive that failed to raise enough money or food, and numerous stories in the media about declining donations, the Holiday Drive started on November 26^th with a deck fully stacked against it.

"It has been thanks to the extraordinary generosity of this city that we have been able to reach our goals almost a week early. Our donors believe in us and we believe in them," said Gail Nyberg. "They donate what they can, they run food drives, they organize special events to fundraise, they teach their children that the holiday season isn't just about getting but it's about giving and sharing as well."

Even though Daily Bread Food Bank has reached its goals, the Holiday Drive isn't over yet. Until January 3^rd, financial donations can be made securely, online at www.dailybread.ca or by calling 416-203-0050. Cheques can be mailed to Daily Bread Food Bank at 191 New Toronto Street, Toronto ON M8V 2E7. The public can drop off nutritious, non-perishable food at any fire hall throughout the year or any local Loblaws, Loblaw Great Food, valu-mart, nofrills or Real Canadian Superstore until January 3^rd. Most needed food items include: baby formula and food; peanut butter; canned fruit or vegetables; canned fish or meat; dried pasta and tomato sauce; powdered, canned or tetra pak milk; macaroni and cheese; bags of rice; cans of lentils and beans; hearty soup or stew and bags of lentils.

Daily Bread Food Bank is a non-profit, charitable organization that is fighting to end hunger in our communities. As Canada's largest food bank, Daily Bread serves people through neighbourhood food banks and meal programs in its over 170 member agencies. Daily Bread Food Bank fights hunger by providing food and resources for hungry people; mobilizing greater community support and creating social change through research, education and advocacy.

Daily Bread Food Bank is fighting to end hunger in our communities.

For further information:

Sarah Anderson
Senior Manager, Communications
T: 416-203-0050 ext. 238
E: [email protected]
M: 416-450-2196