TORONTO, Jan. 23, 2024 — Purolator announced today that its employees, customers, partners and community supporters delivered almost 2.3 million pounds of food to food banks across Canada in 2023 — the 20th year of its Purolator Tackle Hunger® program. The organization surpassed its goal to raise two million pounds of food at a time when food bank usage has never been higher in Canadian history.
“Going the extra mile for our communities is at the core of Purolator’s values, and we are incredibly proud that our Purolator Tackle Hunger program has once again achieved a record-breaking milestone,” said John Ferguson, President and CEO, Purolator. “Through innovative fundraising initiatives, the dedication of our team and partners and the generosity of Canadians, we collected an unprecedented amount of food for Canadians facing hunger. We will continue to advocate for a solution to food insecurity, and as long as the need persists, Purolator remains dedicated to nourishing and supporting communities across Canada.”
Purolator’s employees, partners and customers held events to collect food and monetary donations throughout 2023, with some key initiatives including:
- Purolator Tackle Hunger Month in June, during which the organization collected more than any previous Purolator Tackle Hunger Month — over 600,000 pounds of food for Food Banks Canada.
- The first-ever Purolator Tackle Hunger National Red Bag campaign in September, delivered almost 150,000 pounds of food to local food banks. Purolator’s first Red Bag campaign in 2018 was held regionally. In 2023 the campaign expanded nationally, with 15 communities participating across the country.
- Purolator Tackle Hunger CFL Game Day Food Drives raised nearly 475,000 pounds of food. Purolator’s partnership with the CFL continues to play an important role in the success of Purolator Tackle Hunger.
Canadians can support food banks across the country by making online donations at purolatortacklehunger.com or by dropping off non-perishable food donations to any Purolator Shipping Centre nationwide.
Fast facts about hunger in Canada
- Canadian food banks had over 1.9 million visits in March 2023, which set a record and far surpassed usage in 2022 for the same month. (Source: Food Banks Canada’s HungerCount 2023)
- Food prices are expected to increase by two to four percent in 2024, with the most substantial increases in vegetables, bakery and meat. (Source: Canada’s Food Price Report, 2024)
- An average family of four will spend up to $16,297.20 per year on food in 2024, an increase of up to $701.79 over last year. (Source: Canada’s Food Price Report, 2023)
- In Canada, 33 percent of food bank users are children, though they represent only 20 percent of the population. (Source: Food Banks Canada’s HungerCount 2023)
- One in three children is at risk of going to school on an empty stomach. (Source: Breakfast Club of Canada)
About Purolator Tackle Hunger®
Canadian food banks had almost two million visitors in March 2023 — representing the highest usage in Canadian history, according to the Food Banks Canada’s HungerCount 2023. 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 over 20 years ago, Purolator Tackle Hunger® has helped deliver more than 22 million pounds of food to food banks across Canada. For more information, visit purolatortacklehunger.com.
Media contact
Courtney Reistetter
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
Purolator
416 407-5424
[email protected]
