Say No To Hunger, Support London Cares Curb Hunger Food Drive

The London Cares Curb Hunger Food Drive kicked off today, with its 22nd year of collecting food donations for the London Food Bank. Over the last 21 years, Londoners have been incredibly generous, donating 1,330,850 pounds of non-perishable donations to Canada’s “longest running and most unique food drive.”

Helping the London Cares Curb Hunger Food Drive is easy. Between June 1-9, Londoners can simply donate non-perishable items while shopping at their neighbourhood grocery store, drop them off at their local fire station, or place them in a bag labelled ‘Food Bank’ beside their Blue Box on their recycling day.

Now in its second year, Londoners also have the option to sign up for the Plant a Row – Grow a Row program which provides gardeners with an option to donate fresh produce. Last year, 2,800 pounds of fresh produce was donated by participates.

Today’s launch also highlighted an ongoing pilot project in London with respect to food rescue at grocery stores. For one year now, the London Food Bank has been part of a pilot project working with Food Banks Canada and a number of grocery stores in London. Over 100,000 pounds have been rescued from the nine participating grocery stores; food that would have otherwise been sent to landfill, to make room for new goods.

“Food banks fill a gap for Londoners in need. We know that a good meal is vital to a good day, whether you’re at school or work,” said Mayor Matt Brown. “Londoners deliver year after year and we are a community that comes together to help those in need. I know this year will be no different.”

Last year, 49,830 pounds of food donations were delivered to the London Food Bank from curbside collection, corporate donations, grocery store and fire station donation bins.

“The need for food donations continues to grow each year. The 300 families a month we helped in 1986, over 30 years ago – has grown tenfold to an average of 3,360 families per month in the first part of 2018,” said Jane Roy, Co-Executive Director of the London Food Bank. “In 2018, we continue the focus on increasing donations of fresh food.”

Collection Schedule:

Grocery stores and Fire Stations – any time during business hours June 1 – 9.

Curbside Collection:
Friday, June 1 Zone F
Monday, June 4 Zone A
Tuesday, June 5 Zone B
Wednesday, June 6 Zone C
Thursday, June 7 Zone D
Friday, June 8 Zone E

Saturday, June 9 – Donations still accepted at Fire Stations & local grocery stores

More Information:

Media Contacts:
Jane Roy or Glen Pearson
London Food Bank
519-859-6582

Jay Stanford
Director, Environment, Fleet & Solid Waste
City of London
519-661-2500 ext. 5411