London’s largest holiday food drive filled the Western Fair Agriplex with hundreds of boxes of non-perishable items and provided the London Food Bank with thousands in additional donations.
The Business Cares Food Drive gathered 315,247 kg or 695,000 lbs of food, valued at just over $2 million, which was calculated on Friday as the campaign concluded.
“I call it more of a morning of magic,” said Wayne Dunn, the chair of Business Cares. “That’s truly what it is, it’s bringing the entire community together and sharing stories of the campaign.”
This yearly food drive started three weeks ago and unites local businesses to support over 35 agencies and 90 food programs throughout the London area. As part of this effort, volunteers also set up in 40 grocery stores to collect donations from shoppers.
In 2024, Business Cares collected about 310,000 kg or 683,000 lbs in food and cash contributions, reflecting a nine percent rise compared to 2023.
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Wayne Dunn, the chair of Business Cares, wrapped up his 26th annual food drive on Friday morning at the Western Fair Agriplex. (Jack Sutton/CBC)
This year, Business Cares didn’t set a specific goal for the drive; this was a conscious decision given current tough times. Instead, they asked Londoners simply to give what they could if they were able to do so, Dunn stated.
“Obviously, we want to do what we did last year,” he noted. “If we even come close to that, I’m one happy person.”
After reviewing all donations collected this year marked a 1.7 percent increase from those in 2024.
Watching businesses present their donation checks while looking out at around 300 large boxes filled with food and essential supplies shows how generous London’s community is when it comes to giving back, said Jane Roy, co-Executive Director of the London Food Bank.
“It’s also a sign that we actually need this support which isn’t necessarily good,” she remarked.
Recent studies indicate that food insecurity in London has risen sharply; data from Middlesex-London Health Unit reveals that roughly one in three London residents face food insecurity challenges.
Despite these challenges, Roy added that seeing such success from the drive motivates them to continue supporting those in need through the London Food Bank.
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The sight of all donations is uplifting but also highlights how much help is needed within our city according to Jane Roy co-executive director at London Food Bank (Jack Sutton/CBC)
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This Year’s Volunteer Effort Expanded
Dunn has been leading this initiative for an impressive span of twenty-six years because he knows its positive impact on people’s lives. “Demand at the food bank is continually increasing,” he explained. “I’m able to do it and it’s a good thing. It’s nice that we’re helping other people.” Dunn mentioned that Business Cares operates entirely through volunteers; this year saw greater involvement than ever before with participation from around eight hundred businesses along with more than one thousand volunteers stepping up for help. While officially wrapped up now however they’re still accepting both food drop-offs at Agriplex as well as cash gifts via their website.Source link
