The Great Food Drive for Children from March 19 to April 7, 2013

Together, Moisson Montréal, Moisson Laval and Moisson Rive-Sud unite to fight hunger, which affects over 21,000 children.

MONTREAL, March 14, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - This morning, Moisson Montréal, Moisson Rive-Sud and the Centre de bénévolat et moisson Laval announced the beginning of the second edition of The Great Food Drive for Children presented by Standard Life. The campaign to raise funds and collect foodstuffs for young children will be held from March 19 to April 7, 2013 with the support of an exceptional spokesperson, the popular TV host, Ève-Marie Lortie. A project first started by Moisson Montréal in 2012, The Great Food Drive for Children was created to help the 21,000 children under the age of 5 who live in poverty and experience hunger on a daily basis across the territory, by providing critical food aid that is adapted to their needs.

From March 19 to April 7, the public is urged to log on to www.granderecolte.com to make a cash donation or drop by one of the 17 participating businesses (complete information on our website) to donate non-perishable foodstuffs for babies and young children such as puréed baby food and baby cereals, formula, healthy snacks, diapers and hygiene products for babies and toddlers. The funds collected will be used to make bulk purchases of baby and children's items to be distributed to community organizations, accredited by the Moisson, who provide assistance to families with young children and pregnant moms.

Following in the footsteps of actress Noémie Yelle as spokesperson for The Great Food Drive for Children, Ève-Marie Lortie shares her reasons for taking part in this campaign: "It's unimaginable to think that young children lack the bare essentials for their wellbeing. I chose to be part of The Great Food Drive… because despite all the love and care parents provide for their children, some are still unable to give them a nutritious and varied diet. I want to tell them that they are not alone, that we are with them and will help them." Mr. Dany Michaud, Executive Director of Moisson Montréal, added "The idea of The Great Food Drive… first originated when we realized how great the need for baby and toddler products was, when in fact, such products only represent 1% of our donations. We had to respond with an act of solidarity."

This year, two other Moisson organizations from the region joined this campaign to expand the help. Mrs Catherine Boyer, General Manager of Moisson Rive-Sud, stated "To feed oneself and one's family on a daily basis should not be a complicated chore for anyone. This year, the alliance of Greater Montreal's 3 Moisson organizations will enable concrete actions to be taken in our respective territories and allow us to provide the basics, especially to young children, required for a good start in life while lending a helping hand to mothers and fathers. Our goal: To put a smile on a child's plate!" Mr. Jean Gagnon, Vice Executive Director with the Centre de bénévolat et moisson Laval, added "To us, The Great Food Drive… is an excellent opportunity to improve our support for families. We receive very little baby and toddler items even if children under 5 represent 15% of the population seeking emergency food assistance from our organization. That's why our involvement in this campaign is so important."

There is another first for the campaign, this year, we can now count on the support of a new corporate partner, Standard Life. "Youth wellbeing is very important to us. In fact, our community investment program is dedicated to this cause. By supporting The Great Food Drive…, we want to help provide children with access to a healthy and nutritious diet. We want to help them grow up and start on the right foot," stated Mrs. Sophie Fortin, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, People, Business Change and Communications with Standard Life.

Businesses and institutions are welcome to organize their own fundraiser and food drive in the workplace. For example the staff and a student committee of Collège Ville-Marie in Montreal are actively involved in a fundraising activity to benefit The Great Food Drive… "The new generation is determined to building a better world, one that is fair and equitable, explained Hélène Sirois, Executive Director of Collège Ville-Marie. Schools must provide them with opportunities to get involved and make a difference in their community. That's why the school's team decided to take part in the The Great Food Drive…"

SAVE THE DATE - MARCH 19 JOIN US FOR THE CAMPAIGN LAUNCH WITH ÈVE-MARIE LORTIE!

The official launch of The Great Food Drive for Children will be held March 19 at Montreal's Central Station (895, rue de la Gauchetière, West), where Ève-Marie Lortie, along with volunteers and staff from Moisson organizations, will be on hand from 7:30 am to 9:30 am to collect your donations

Campaign organizers would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Standard Life, Rythme FM 105,7, Le Journal de Montréal, Montrealfamilies.ca, 7 Jours magazine, Global Montreal, the Parents and Kids Fair and all of the participating drop-off points, Morrow Communications, Studio 301, Les contenants Jos Lebel as well as Mr. Karl Boulanger.

 

SOURCE: MOISSON MONTREAL

Information and Interview requests:
Marie-Claire Lynn
Communications Assistant, Moisson Montréal
[phone] ext 239 Cell: [phone]
[email protected]