Farm Credit Canada launched the 14th year
of FCC Drive Away Hunger by contributing
$100,000 to school meal programs across Canada, in addition to announcing this
year’s goal for its annual food drive.
“We are always looking for more ways to support those
who are working everyday to help alleviate hunger in Canada,” said Michael
Hoffort, FCC president and CEO, adding this year’s goal is to collect the
equivalent of five million meals for Canada’s food banks and hunger programs.
FCC offices across Canada are now collecting food and
cash donations until October 13.
Beginning on October 10, FCC Drive Away Hunger tractor
tours will take place in Alberta (Camrose, Lloydminster), Ontario (London,
Wyoming, Thornton), Quebec (Ange-Gardien), Nova Scotia (Truro) and Saskatchewan
(Yorkton, Humboldt, Regina) to collect food and donations from individuals and
organizations, including industry partners and schools.
FCC is starting this year’s campaign with the $100,000
to support food programs offered at 100 schools selected by FCC offices across
Canada based on need. Each school is receiving $1,000.
“There are always people in our communities in need of
a helping hand and no child should ever have to make it through a school day on
an empty stomach,” said Hoffort, noting that hunger touches over 860,000
Canadians each month, many of whom are children.
The launch precedes Hunger
Awareness Week from September 18-22, 2017 which aims to raise
awareness about the issue of hunger in Canada.
FCC Drive Away Hunger involves driving a tractor and
trailer through communities to collect food and cash donations for food banks
across the country.
One hundred per cent of donations go to Canadian food
banks, and anyone can visit www.fccdriveawayhunger.ca to make a
monetary donation.
FCC’s partners are a major reason for the program’s
success.
As Platinum partners, BDO Canada, The Meat Factory
Limited, Courchesne Larose, Chenail Fruits and
Legumes and Dedicated
Harvesters have committed to providing food and funds to feed
the hungry through FCC Drive Away Hunger.
Parrish and Heimbecker Limited, Windset Farms, Co-op, Nutrigroupe, BroadGrain
Commodities Inc., SWT and Ray-Mont
Logistics have also joined as national partners.
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