'November was 2nd busiest month in 35 years': London Food Bank thankful for Business Cares Food Drive
The London Business Cares Food Drive (LBCFD) couldn't have come at a more opportune time.
"At Wednesday's Food Bank board meeting we saw November's numbers and it's the second highest in our 35 year history," said Glen Pearson, the London Food Bank's co-executive director.
"We were all kind of shocked. We knew it was rising but it's risen now a lot and for Canada's largest food banks, their numbers have increased over 50 per cent during the pandemic. So I mean, this isn't something it's just a London problem, it's a Canadian problem." Pearson added.
This weekend, 30 stores in London, Ont. including 27 grocery stores, were packed with volunteers for the annual LCBFD Grocery Weekend.
"I've actually had to put out 30 more Gaylord's in the last two hours, that's how busy it's been," said LBCFD campaign chair Wayne Dunn.London Business Cares Food Drive Campaign Chair Wayne Dunn in London, Ont. on Sunday Dec. 5, 2021. (Brent Lale / CTV News)Shopper Tim Forrest arrived to purchase a bag of carrots, but instead bought and donated an entire cart of groceries.
"I run a small business and I see everybody out on the street corners this time of year hurting to get by and just wanting to do my part," explained Forrest.
Pearson feels the generosity of the thousands of people like Forrest is what allows them and other agencies to serve the growing clientele.
"We're just short of 3,600 families," said Pearson. "That's close to 9,000 individuals a month, and that's not talking about the other 10,000 individuals we feed on a regular basis through other agencies that we help, and their numbers too are going up."
To pull off this weekend at all corners of the city, it takes close to 1,000 volunteers. Among them at the Wharncliffe Road and Commissioners Avenue No Frills were Inter-county Baseball League champions Braeden Ferrington and Cleveland Brownlee of the London Majors.Cleveland Brownlee (C) of the London Majors leads a group of London Business Cares Food Drive volunteers, Sunday Dec. 5, 2021. (Brent Lale / CTV News)"We're just trying to feed as many families we can for the holidays," said Brownlee. "At this time of year you always get the best stories. One guy came in yesterday (Saturday) and he said just last year he was homeless and he says now he's able to help provide for other families. He came out with a whole shopping cart, and those are the kinds of stories and things that you look for on this weekend."
While the grocery weekend is now over, the LBCFD will continue for the next two-and-a-half weeks.
"We store all our food at the Edge Automation warehouse in east London and have a great wrap up Dec. 22," said Dunn.
"In between, a lot of businesses will be involved with their staff. People can still donate online at our website, and the next few weeks we'll shift the campaign to more monetary than food. However, businesses will still assist and we're happy to have that too."It was a hub of activity on London Business Cares Food Drive Grocery Weekend at No Frills on Wharncliffe Road in London, Ont., Dec. 5, 2021. (Brent Lale / CTV News)Pearson calls the business community “essential” to the Food Bank's ability to serve.
"It's not a crisis yet, but it's a real moment of concern," he said. " The food security, especially after COVID, we thought we would all do better, and we build back better but it hasn't worked out in this case."
The next event is the 'Be a Fan, Bring a Can' Saturday Dec. 11, when the London Knights host the Guelph Storm.
Volunteers will be on hand at Budweiser Gardens to collect donations for the LBCFD.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.