North York Harvest Sets Ambitious Goal for Spring Food Drive
Food Bank Appealing for Community Support
March 23, 2010
For Immediate Release
TORONTO – The North York Harvest Food Bank hopes to raise 72,000 pounds of food during its spring food drive, running March 19 to April 9, to help families and individuals in need.
“Even though the worst of the recession is behind us, the need for food and food assistance programs is still there,” said Anette Chawla, Executive Director of the North York Harvest Food Bank. “We’re hoping the community responds again to help us reach our goal to raise 72,000 pounds of food during our spring drive and replenish our stock of food to help those at risk in our community.”
To help replenish reserves during the spring and summer season, donations of non-perishable food items can be dropped off at all fire halls in northern Toronto, along with Loblaws, Fortinos, Real Canadian Superstore, valu-mart and No Frills stores, as well as Metro and other participating supermarkets.
“As Canada’s largest grocery retailer, Loblaw Companies Limited believes it has a responsibility to help in the fight against hunger,” said Peggy Hornell, Senior Director, Community Investment, Loblaw Companies Limited. “We are thrilled to continue working with North York Harvest Food Bank on the Extra Helping Spring National Food Drive. We have built a strong tradition of being active in the communities where we have stores to help support the needs of the community.”
Chawla was joined today by Tom Filippou, Executive Chef, President's Choice® Cooking School at the Real Canadian Superstore at Weston Road and Hwy. 401. Filippou was on hand to showcase some nutritious meals that can be made from some of the items that are donated the most to the food bank.
“We’re reminding the community that variety is an important part of a healthy diet, and we encourage donations of perishable items that are as diverse as the people we serve,” said Chawla.
The recipes for the showcased dishes can be found on the North York Harvest Food Bank’s website www.northyorkharvest.com
About the North York Harvest Food Bank
The North York Harvest Food Bank is the second-largest food bank in Toronto, distributing more than 1.4 million pounds of food last year through 60 neighbourhood programs. An independent, charitable organization, it envisions a community where all members are able to meet their food needs. In 2009, more than 160,000 food hampers were provided to people living in northern Toronto, an area bounded by Hwy. 27, Steeles Avenue, Victoria Park Avenue, and St. Clair Avenue/Eglinton Avenue.
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Contact:
James Ip
Communications Manager
Ph: 416-635-7771, ext. 59 Cell: 647-297-7759
james [at] northyorkharvest [dot] com
