OC Transpo delivers true holiday spirit with City-wide food donations to Ottawa Food Bank

The 2014 OC Transpo/Loblaw Annual Christmas Food Drive delivered more than 133,694 food and non-perishable items, and $36,135 in cash and food vouchers to the Ottawa Food Bank today. These donations will be distributed to help thousands of local families and individuals in need this holiday season.

“I am proud to have the Ottawa Food Bank in my ward. The Food Bank does amazing work for our community. Ottawa residents have once again stepped up and have helped make the OC Transpo Food Drive another success this year,” said Councillor Tim Tierney. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many OC Transpo and City of Ottawa employees, food drive partners, as well as the hundreds of volunteers whose hard work and generous support have helped to make this holiday season a little brighter for some of the most vulnerable members of our community.”

Today’s ceremonial delivery by the Santa bus to the Ottawa Food Bank and the announcement of the results of the food drive mark the end of the 30

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OC Transpo/Loblaw Annual Christmas Food Drive. The annual food drive has raised more than 1.4 million kilograms of food and thousands of dollars since it began in 1984. It is the oldest and largest annual food drive for the Ottawa Food Bank.

On Saturday December 6, OC Transpo employees, City Staff and volunteers filled buses with food collected at  participating Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore, Your Independent Grocer, and nofrills® locations. The OC Transpo/Loblaw Christmas Food Drive is a joint effort between OC Transpo, the City of Ottawa and local Loblaw banner stores.

“This annual food drive is a great and fun way to help those in need in our community,” said Pam Smith, District Manager, Loblaw Companies Limited.” On behalf of the local Loblaw banner stores I would like to thank Ottawa residents for their support and generosity to make a difference for those in need this holiday season.”

Every working day, 12 tonnes of food leaves the Ottawa Food Bank’s Michael Street warehouse. The Ottawa Food Bank helps 48,000 people a month – 37 per cent of whom are children – with emergency food assistance.

“As both the Ottawa Food Bank and this incredible food drive are in their 30

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year, I want to thank everyone who made it special. Thank you to all who donated and volunteered, and thank you to OC Transpo, the City of Ottawa, and Loblaw for their continued commitment to help people in need in our community,” said Michael Maidment, Executive Director of the Ottawa Food Bank. “This event is a big help in ensuring people continue to get the help they need during the cold winter months.”