Growing need highlights launch on 23rd London Business Cares holiday food drive
For the second year in a row, the London Business Cares food drive is not setting a ‘goal,’ according to campaign chair Wayne Dunn.
“We don't want to make anybody feel they have to be the result of that,” Dunn said. “So give what you can but only if you can.”
In 2021, the threat of the pandemic creating lockdowns and uncertainty led to the decision, this year it is inflation. Dunn hopes the community will step up again when it raised 588,000 lbs. of food.
A big change that has occurred is more money and cheques are being donated along with food, which allows flexibility into what, and when that donation is used.
“We’re able to fund the other programs throughout the year, and they have great returns on them, and that can’t be done without us having cheques,” Dunn said.
Partners like the London and District Construction Association are doing several unique events like a silent art auction
“Imagine construction people selling art at an event at the Grand Theatre!” executive director Mike Carter quipped. “And the painting that we sold last year during the business care food drive was 5,000 bucks, I couldn't believe it. So now we decided to really test the market and do three and we'll see how it goes.”
The Grand Theatre is heavily involved again, collecting through its production of Elf. Over the last five seasons, The Grand has raised over $340,000 for the food bank, and is well on its way this year according to new executive director Evan Klassen.
“We opened on Friday last week. We have already done six collections. (Where) we've already collected $12,000 towards the food bank,” Klassen said.
This weekend hundreds of volunteers will be at local grocery stores collecting for the food drive.
“Go to any grocery store in London, you're not going to miss us. And we have all volunteers out collecting food, buy it, buy a bundle or buy some cans and donate to the volunteers on site,” Dunn said.
The food drive runs until Wednesday, Dec. 21
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Tensions run high on the Hill as MPs debate second Conservative motion of non-confidence
Members of Parliament debated the second Conservative motion of non-confidence in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government of the week on Thursday, amid simmering tensions.
WATCH LIVE Helene strengthens to a Category 4 hurricane as it nears Florida's Gulf Coast
Helene strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane ahead of its expected landfall on Florida's northwest coast Thursday night, forecasters said, warning that the enormous storm could create a 'nightmare' surge in coastal areas and bring dangerous winds and rain across much of the southeastern U.S.
Cold case arrest: Nunavut RCMP charge man with murder in 1986 death of teenage girl
Mounties in Nunavut have made an arrest in the murder of a 15-year-old girl almost 40 years ago.
Mounties in B.C. warn 'highly convincing' scammers extorting victims with photos of their homes
Scammers are increasingly using emails to extort money from victims by threatening to reveal compromising photos, videos and personal information to their friends and family members, according to a new warning from Mounties in Metro Vancouver.
Air Canada flight to Toronto diverts due to emergency
An Air Canada flight headed to Toronto from Frankfurt diverted to Edinburgh due to an emergency Thursday, the airline says.
Canadian rapper K'naan charged with sexual assault following arrest in Quebec City
Canadian singer K’naan has been charged with sexual assault after being arrested by police in Quebec City.
NDP MP introduces bill to criminalize residential school denialism
An NDP MP has introduced a bill that would criminalize residential school denialism, saying it would help stop harm caused toward survivors, their families and communities.
Masking reintroduced in N.S. hospitals as respiratory illnesses increase
A partial masking mandate has returned to Nova Scotia hospitals and provincially run healthcare facilities for visitors and healthcare workers.
Eye drops recalled in Canada over infection risk
A Canadian pharmaceutical company is warning consumers not to use some of its eye drops because of potential microbial growth that may result in eye infections.