TORONTO, May 24, 2017 – Today, Her Honour the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario hosted a reception to celebrate the contributions made by the Purolator Tackle Hunger® (PTH) program, the Canadian Football League and food bank supporters to help raise food, funds and awareness to alleviate hunger in Ontario.
According to the Ontario Association of Food Banks, since 2008, food bank use in Ontario has increased by 6.9 per cent. Nationally, according to Food Banks Canada, approximately 1.7 million Canadian households – encompassing 4 million people – experience food insecurity each year.
The reception, which hosted a number of community champions who have worked diligently to raise awareness around the issue of hunger in Ontario, provided community and food bank representatives in attendance the opportunity to also share knowledge. Representatives from the Purolator Tackle Hunger program and the Daily Bread Food Bank spoke at the event. Additionally, a food bank client shared a personal story with the audience about how community support makes a meaningful impact for those who may be struggling to make ends meet.
Quotes
“Hunger is an issue that we can’t afford to ignore. As I’ve travelled throughout this province, I’ve been startled at how ubiquitous food banks really are in Ontario. While we dream of the day when food banks won’t be necessary, in any community, it’s very clear that today food banks continue to need our help. I think it’s really through partnerships, and through harnessing the most creative minds and energy that we’re going to begin to see real progress. Think what we would be inspired to do collectively to address the causes of hunger and to bring about positive change. I encourage Ontarians to join our efforts to reach this goal.”
- Her Honour the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
“The Purolator Tackle Hunger program recognizes that supporting food share organizations is supporting our friends, families and neighbours. Because hunger has no profile, hunger can happen to anyone.”
- Karen White-Boswell, Director of Corporate Communications, Purolator
"We all know that hunger and poverty won't be solved just by feeding people: there needs to be social change. But hunger doesn't wait for policy change. And that's why Daily Bread is so grateful for the support of Purolator and the CFL Tackle Hunger campaign: they get it. Thank you for your generous support for so many years, and for holding a vision of a hunger-free, equitable city."
- Gail Nyberg, Executive Director, Daily Bread Food Bank
As the national representative of the Purolator Tackle Hunger program, it amazes me to see the effect on people who just need a little help. The security of knowing the food bank will be there every day of the year gives people hope of a better tomorrow while managing today. My pride in this program knows no bounds, as the need will unfortunately forever be there.”
- Chris Schultz, TSN CFL Football Sportscaster and PTH spokesperson
About Purolator Tackle Hunger®
Hunger is an important issue that affects Canadians across the country. According to the Ontario Association of Food Banks’ Hunger Report 2016, more than 335,000 people in Ontario – one-third of them children – visit food banks every month. As part of its commitment to helping alleviate hunger in the communities where it operates, Purolator Inc. works closely with its employees, partners, agents, customers and food banks across Canada to collect donations and help raise awareness about the issue of hunger in Canada. Since its inception in 2003, the Purolator Tackle Hunger® program has helped deliver the equivalent of more than 10.5 million pounds of food to food banks across Canada.
Join the conversation:
Website: purolatortacklehunger.com
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To schedule an interview, please contact:
Courtney Reistetter
Manager, Corporate Communications
Purolator
905 712-1084 ext. 23851
[email protected]
