Londoners' willingness to open their hearts and their cupboards to those in need reached a level not seen in a decade.
The City of London announced on Friday that this year's London Cares Curb Hunger food drive collected the equivalent of 85,000 lbs of food for the London Food Bank. That is the most food to be donated to the week and a half long drive in ten years.
“Even in the midst of a pandemic and during a time of mourning, Londoners came together to support their neighbours in need by giving to the London Food Bank," said Mayor Ed Holder. "Thanks to the countless residents who gave online, donated at the grocery store or will grow food in local gardens to donate, as well as to the food bank’s dedicated corporate donors and community partners."
Of the 85,000 lbs donated between June 16 and 26, more than 6,000 lbs came from grocery stores, 27,550 lbs were corporate donations, over $59,000 or 22,750 lbs were financial donations, and 28,600 lbs came in from the community refresh program.
Last year's food drive brought in just 63,340 lbs of food.
"This year’s Curb Hunger effort was a resounding success and has helped to put this community on a new path toward urban agriculture and the ability to provide local, nutritional food to hungry families," said Co-Director of the food bank Glen Pearson. "This is the time to grow, and we are encouraging Londoners to keep planting and harvesting fresh produce through the Grow-a-Row and community garden initiatives. Hunger doesn’t take the summer off and residents have numerous opportunities to grow produce and get it to food bank clients."
The Grow-a-Row and community garden initiatives encourage residents to plant extra in their vegetable gardens to donate to the food bank at harvest time.
