For immediate release: October 3, 2014

Help Ottawa Food Bank feed
local families in need

(Ottawa)  The Ottawa Food Bank’s annual Thanks for Giving Food Drive begins this weekend, and the timing is critical. With Ottawa Public Health’s recent announcement that the cost of feeding a family of four has increased by 10 per cent, the Ottawa Food Bank must be prepared to accommodate a potential rise in demand.

Last year, the Thanks for Giving Food Drive raised 200,000 pounds of food over two weekends. Knowing it is increasingly difficult for families and individuals to afford to eat well, this food drive is crucial as it is the Ottawa Food Bank’s first food drive since the spring and it is important they are able to restock their shelves in order to provide what is needed to their 140 member food programs.

“This week’s report from Ottawa Public Health detailing the dramatic increase in the cost of food over the past year reminds us all about the pressure thousands of people face every day in trying to feed their families” said Michael Maidment, executive director of the Ottawa Food Bank.  “The report also underscores just how important the Thanks for Giving food drive is in allowing us to prepare to meet the rising demand”.

According to Ottawa Public Health, one in 10 households in Ottawa is food insecure, meaning they have a difficult time accessing healthy foods. With this in mind, please think nutritious when selecting your non-perishable food items and please give generously.

Volunteers at participating Loblaws, Metro, Superstore, and Independent Grocers locations will be handing out food donation bags and encouraging shoppers to donate their family’s favourite non-perishable and nutritious food items this Saturday and Sunday, as well as into next weekend.

To volunteer, please sign up online by visiting www.volunteer.ottawafoodbank.ca or call 613-745-7001.