The sun was shining at the Ottawa Food Bank as Rémi Lemoine, EVP and COO of Farm Credit Canada (FCC) launched their 10th annual Drive Away Hunger program on May 7th.
The food drive was officially launched by Lemoine, joined by Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. The launch perfectly coincides with Hunger Awareness Week, which is May 6-10.
Drive Away Hunger features FCC employees on tractor-trailers in communities across Canada collecting food and cash donations for local food banks. Since 2004, the food drive has raised over 9.2 million pounds of food and $760,000.
Katharine Schmidt, Executive Director of Food Banks Canada (FBC), was in attendance to accept a donation from FCC on behalf of Food Banks Canada. This donation will be used to help food banks across the country.
Jim Snyder, Nation Director, Agricultural Practice Development, BDO, was at the event representing BDO – a Platinum partner of Drive Away Hunger. BDO has committed to collecting food for the program, and has raised more than 651,000 pounds of food and $185,000 since 2008.
The Ottawa Food Bank was honoured to be the FCC’s first stop for the food drive, as the food donation made during their visit will help replenish shelves following the demanding winter season. Also as part of the event, FCC generously donated $5,000 to the Ottawa Food Bank.
Thank you Farm Credit Canada – and good luck during your cross-country tour!
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