Municipal staff and residents come together in fight against hunger
The Region of Durham and area municipalities have collectively raised food and funds equivalent to approximately 81,669 pounds of food for Feed the Need and local food banks – the result of a two-week inter-municipal food donation challenge.
Donations were made by residents, community organizations, businesses and municipal staff who showed an outpouring of generosity to fight local hunger. The donations will help provide approximately 68,000 meals for Durham Region residents in need.
“The response to this challenge has been truly humbling for us,” said Ben Earle, Executive Director at Feed the Need in Durham. “Not only have we raised a tremendous amount of food that will help families across the region, we have inspired our team, our partners and our community. This has been a fantastic effort and show of support for those who face hunger in Durham”.
The friendly challenge was initiated on social media on Wednesday, September 4, as part of National Hunger Action Month by Whitby Chief Administrative Officer Matthew Gaskell.
Winners by Category
- Regional Municipality of Durham vs. area municipalities challenge
- Area municipalities brought in equivalent to 77,134 pounds of donations versus the Regional Municipality of Durham’s total of 4,535 pounds.
- Area municipalities challenge by weight & monetary donation
(every $1 donated equalled 3 pounds of food)
- Town of Whitby – 6,806 pounds of food and $5,046.65 in monetary donations, totalling an equivalent of 21,946 pounds of food
- Area municipalities challenge by weight
- Town of Ajax – 10,473 pounds of food
As part of the challenge, the Chief Administrative Officers of all other municipalities will donate an additional $50 to Feed the Need or a local food bank of their choosing.
About Feed the Need in Durham
Based in Oshawa, Feed the Need in Durham collects, stores and distributes approximately 1.5 million pounds of food annually to 57 emergency food providers and five school nutrition programs across Durham Region. The organization believes that hunger should not be a reason for anyone to not participate fully in the life of the community. Cash donations can be made online at www.feedtheneedindurham.caor www.canadahelps.org/dn/6952