TORONTO, June 12, 2024 — Today, Purolator has further demonstrated its commitment to helping alleviate food scarcity through the donation of a delivery vehicle and 1,000 pounds of food to Feed Scarborough, following the recent launch of this year’s Purolator Tackle Hunger® Month campaign.
The donation event took place at the Feed Scarborough Food Bank, underscoring Purolator’s efforts to making a tangible difference in the communities it serves. Since its inception, the Purolator Tackle Hunger® program has delivered more than 22 million pounds of food to Canadian food banks.,
"Purolator Tackle Hunger Month is a testament to the power of community in addressing food insecurity,” said Steve Scorca, Senior Manager of Operations, Purolator. “Our team members in Scarborough and across Canada are dedicated to making a meaningful difference. By providing resources and raising awareness, we hope to help alleviate the burden of hunger for people here in Scarborough and across Canada."
First launched in 2003, Purolator Tackle Hunger® has grown from a grassroots initiative to a nationwide program. The campaign's success highlights the significant impact collective efforts can achieve.
Feed Scarborough, an organization run almost entirely by volunteers, serves more than 3,000 residents every week. The donated vehicle will be used in the organization’s ‘Meals on Wheels’ program. This initiative ensures that nutritious meals are delivered to the homes and locations of those in need, including seniors, people experiencing homelessness, individuals with disabilities, and families facing food insecurity. The program not only addresses immediate hunger but also provides a sense of community and support to its recipients. The dedicated volunteers of Feed Scarborough play a crucial role in maintaining the program's operations, ensuring that every meal is prepared and delivered with care.
“This generous donation from Purolator comes at a crucial time as we strive to meet the growing needs of our community,” said Suman Roy, Founder and Executive Director of Feed Scarborough. “The delivery vehicle and additional food supplies will greatly enhance our ability to provide nutritious meals to those in need, through our ‘Mobile Healthy Meal Program. We are deeply grateful for Purolator’s continued support and partnership.”
How Canadians can help tackle hunger
Online and in-person donations to Food Banks Canada
Donations can be made online at purolatortacklehunger.com and at any Purolator Shipping Centre across Canada. Individuals can find a store near them by using the Purolator Locator tool on purolator.com.
Learn more about upcoming initiatives and fundraisers at purolatortacklehunger.com.
Fast facts about hunger in Canada
- In March 2023, there were almost 2 million visits to food banks across Canada, representing a 32 per cent increase compared to March 2022, and a 78.5 per cent increase compared to March 2019, which is the highest year-over-year increase in usage ever reported. (Source: Food Banks Canada HungerCount 2023)
- 33 per cent of food bank users are children while representing only 20 per cent of the population (Source: Food Banks Canada HungerCount 2023)
- Nearly nine million Canadians lived in food insecure households in 2022, with 22.9 per cent of the Canadian population reporting some form of food insecurity (Source: Statistics Canada Canadian Income Survey)
- Canada’s Food Price Report 2024 forecasts that overall food prices will increase by 2.5 per cent to 4.5 per cent (Source: Canada’s Food Price Report 2024)
- The average family of four is expected to spend $16,297.20 on food in 2024, an increase of up to $701.79 from last year. (Source: Canada’s Food Price Report 2024)
About Purolator Tackle Hunger®
As part of Purolator's commitment to helping alleviate hunger in the communities where it operates, the organization works closely with its employees, partners, agents, customers and Canadian food banks to collect food and monetary donations and help raise awareness about the issue of food insecurity. Since the inception of Purolator’s employee-led grassroots program more than 20 years ago, Purolator Tackle Hunger® has helped deliver more than 22 million pounds of food to Canadian food banks. For more information, visit purolatortacklehunger.com.
About Feed Scarborough
Feed Scarborough's mission is to make good food easily accessible to everyone in our community. We started our work in the Fall of 2018 with our first ever Holiday Basket Campaign and have since grown to operate six food banks and a mobile healthy meal program. Our organization, run almost exclusively by volunteers, serves more than 3000 Scarborough residents every week. We also advocate for political action to address the barriers to food security and the structural inequities faced by racialized community members. Through partnerships like the one with Second Harvest, we are able to reduce food waste and provide nutritious, ready-to-eat meals to those in need.
Media contact
Courtney Reistetter
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
Purolator
416 407-5424
[email protected]
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