News Release

CFL and Purolator announce 2003 Tackle Hunger results

Canadians embrace Tackle Hunger program as CFL and Purolator build partnership momentum

The Canadian Football League (CFL) and Purolator, Canada's leading overnight courier company, announced today the final results of the Purolator Tackle Hunger program. Developed as part of a multi-year partnership, the program aims to build awareness and help alleviate hunger across Canada. Through its efforts in 2003, Purolator and the CFL will donate more than 40,000 kilograms of food to local food banks and have raised well over $50,000.

The Tackle Hunger program targeted seven of nine CFL markets throughout the 2003 season, and allowed CFL fans to make donations to their community’s local food bank. In select CFL cities, fans also had an opportunity to get their picture taken with the Grey Cup in exchange for a cash or food donation. All food donations collected over the 2003 season have been delivered to the local food banks, and the remaining 2003 monetary contributions will be provided to the local food banks prior to December 25, 2003.

“The collective efforts and season ending results for the Tackle Hunger initiative represent an extremely successful start to our alliance with the CFL,” said Bob Johnson, President and CEO of Purolator. “The donations made by customers and fans in 2003 exceeded our initial expectations, and I believe that this program will only get bigger and better. On behalf of Purolator, I would like to thank those across Canada who committed both their time and contributions to make this program such a success. It is making a difference.”

In addition to the seven Tackle Hunger days, CFL and TSN promoted the program at a national level with a series of 15-sec features during CFL game broadcasts and in-game mentions by on-air talent about the Sack Tally results. Through the Purolator Sack Tally, each time a CFL quarterback was sacked during a CFL game, Purolator contributed the quarterback’s weight in food to a food bank in the city in which the game was played.

“We are thrilled to be working with Purolator on this cross-country effort to build awareness and Tackle Hunger in Canada. The support from our fans toward this program is evident in this year’s results,” said Tom Wright, Commissioner of the Canadian Football League. “Purolator and the CFL have built an excellent platform for success in its first year, and we look forward to working with them on future initiatives as our partnership continues to build momentum over the coming years.”