M&M Meat Shops Raises $1.2 Million for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada!

TORONTO, May 15, 2013 /CNW/ - This past Saturday, May 11^th, franchisees, staff and thousands of volunteers at 430 M&M Meat Shops locations across Canada joined together to raise $1.2 million for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC).  Supporters from coast to coast lined up to celebrate M&M Meat Shops Charity BBQ Day and raise funds to help CCFC cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and improve the lives of children and adults affected by these chronic diseases.  To date, M&M Meat Shops' franchisees, customers and volunteers have raised more than $24.3 million for this worthy cause.

Saturday marked the 25^th anniversary M&M Meat Shops Charity BBQ Day and Canadians enjoyed thousands of hamburgers and hot dogs. Proceeds raised will go directly to CCFC to invest in research, education, awareness and advocacy for IBD, a disease that affects more than 233,000 Canadian men, women and children.

This year, M&M Meat Shops Charity BBQ Day was pleased to have 13 year-old Landon Lafond as a CCFC representative for the event. Landon understands all too well what it's like to live with IBD: "I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease 5 years ago," says Landon. "I love to volunteer and have been proud to help raise money for Crohn's and colitis research by helping out at M&M Meat Shops Charity BBQ Day, as well as participating in CCFC's Gutsy Walk. M&M Meat Shops Charity BBQ Day is an important way to raise money and awareness for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and hopefully, help kids like me feel better."

Cooking for a Cure
"Once again, Canadians demonstrated incredible support for Charity BBQ Day, raising more than $1.2 million for CCFC," says Mac Voisin, Founder and Chairman of M&M Meat Shops.  "Our sincere thank you to everyone who helped to make the 25^th annual Charity BBQ Day a huge success."

Voisin believes this amazing feat could not have been accomplished without the help of thousands of volunteers and dedicated M&M Meat Shops franchisees, who tirelessly facilitated BBQs and promoted the event in their local communities across the country.

"Due to the research investments made by CCFC and partners such as M&M Meat Shops, significant progress has been made in understanding the fundamental biology of the intestine and the genetic and environmental contributors to IBD" says CCFC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kevin W. Glasgow.  "Our 25-year-partnership with M&M Meat Shops has made an enormous difference in our effort to find a cure for IBD and improve the lives of children and adults affected by these chronic diseases. These donations, combined with the hard work of thousands of volunteers, raise a significant portion of our annual research funds in just one day."

Proud Partners
A Kitchener-based business, M&M Meat Shops opened its first store in 1980. Over the past 32 years, the chain has grown to more than 430 locations across Canada. M&M Meat Shops offers hundreds of meal ideas for today's busy families in just one aisle, with products ranging from succulent steaks to delicious desserts and convenient meal ideas. For more information on M&M Meat Shops or for tips on hundreds of meal ideas, visit www.mmmeatshops.com. Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/mmmeatshops and follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/mmmeatshops.

Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC) is a volunteer-based, registered national charity dedicated to finding the cure for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and improving the lives of children and adults affected by these chronic diseases. For more information about CCFC, please visit www.ccfc.ca. Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ccfc.ca and follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/isupportibd.

SOURCE: M&M Meat Shops

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