Loblaw calls for donations to feed British Columbia’s 97,000 monthly Food Bank users

Food bank use in British Columbia has increased nearly 25 per cent since 2008. Many families struggle under the burden of substantial holiday costs at a time when children who rely on school nutrition programs are spending more time at home. To help feed those in need, customers are being asked to make a donation of two items to their local food bank at Real Canadian Superstore®, Your Independent Grocer®, nofrills® and Extra Foods® stores. The retailer is also asking customers to share a picture of their donation with the hashtag #donate2items in an effort to get the entire province involved.

“Donations from local stores and food drives are so critical at this time of year because they will help families during the holidays and ensure that food banks have enough food to share in the New Year,” said Katharine Schmidt, Executive Director, Food Banks Canada. “If everyone in the province donated just two items at their local Loblaw banner store today, we would meet the average demand on food banks for December, January, February and most of March.”

Holiday Food Drive donation bins are located in store and cash donations are also accepted at checkout. British Columbians are encouraged to provide the following most-needed items:

• Pasta (canned or dry) and pasta sauces
  Canned meats and fish
  Meat alternatives (peanut butter, soy, assorted nuts)
  Canned goods (beans, soups, and stews)
  Dairy (canned and powdered milk)
  Canned vegetables and fruit
  Whole grain cereals
  Infant foods and baby formula
  Bathroom tissue and diapers
  Personal hygiene products

All food donations go directly to local food banks and all cash donations are split between Food Banks British Columbia and local food banks. Since 2008, Loblaw customers donated more than 8.5 million dollars and 8.9 million pounds of food to food drives across Canada. This year Loblaw has plans to raise more than 1.8 million dollars and 1.8 million pounds of food.

“As the largest grocery retailer, we believe we have a responsibility to help in the fight against hunger in British Columbia,” Peggy Hornell, Senior Director, Community Investment, Loblaw Companies Limited. “We are always wowed by the generosity of customers and colleagues and this year we’re reminding them of the impact their contributions make. If everyone in British Columbia donated just two items we could potentially meet the demand on food banks for months to come—that’s where #donate2items comes into play.”

Loblaw Companies Limited has been a close partner of Food Banks Canada since 2008 and was awarded Food Banks Canada’s Donor of the Year award in 2013 in part thanks to 1.5 million dollars in grants since 2008 in support of the National Food Sharing System, a food acquisition program that ensures food is distributed to food banks across the country.