TORONTO, Oct. 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – At a time when more families and individuals are visiting food banks for the first time, thousands of caring individuals and businesses across the province of Feed Ontario joined forces this September to take action against the Hunger in their communities as part of Hunger Action Month.
Organized in partnership with Food Banks Canada and local food banks, the month-long annual campaign encourages people to drive change in their community through four key actions: education, advocacy, volunteering and donations.
While current safety guidelines resulted in many of the regular Hunger Action Month events and activities being canceled or changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for assistance to fight hunger in our province has never been greater.
People and organizations across the province welcomed the month’s changes, fueled by increased demand, resulting in the most successful campaign to date in 2020, raising a record $ 140,000 – the equivalent of 420,000 meals.
“As many people and businesses have lost incomes or jobs in the past few months, more families and individuals are turning to a blackboard for the first time in Ontario,” said Carolyn Stewart, executive director of Feed Ontario. “It is incredible to see how many Ontarians generously offer their help in these challenging times, first for our COVID-19 emergency program and now again during the hunger campaign.
Each week of the month a different key action took center stage, providing easy ways for participants to participate in the campaign. This included visiting Feed Ontario’s hunger map to learn more about hunger at your campaign event; Virtual meetings with members of the provincial parliament and an email campaign to promote affordable housing; Ideas on how to report to your local board during the pandemic; and an invitation to donate to Feed Ontario or your local board.
In Ontario, Hunger Action Month was the primary sponsor of Chicken Farmers of Ontario, with additional support from Barilla Canada and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation.
Turkey Farmers of Ontario also generously doubled all online donations of US $ 20 or more made to Feed Ontario during the month’s “Donation” week (September 27 through October 3) for the monetary equivalent of a whole turkey to a needy family a total of $ 10,000.
The matching campaign, which attracted nearly four times the number of people in last year’s campaign, was also sponsored by Butterball, who donated a $ 5 coupon to purchase their next Butterball turkey for any donation of $ 20 or more.
The month also started a new, multi-year partnership with the Freemasons and Feed Ontario through the Masonic Foundation of Ontario. As Feed Ontario and its network of Tafeln prepare for the long-term economic impact of the pandemic on our communities, the $ 150,000 three-year partnership with the Masonic Foundation will help Tafeln meet growing needs through a focus on capacity building and building Community service.
In addition to the provincial partnership, local Masonic lodges will work with their local boards in communities across Ontario through volunteering, fundraising, and other local-level partnerships.
In Hunger Action Month, consumer-oriented campaigns were launched in 2020 with Good Kharma Chardonnay from Flat Rock Cellar and Thornbury Village Cider as well as Apples for All Project from Reinhart Cider. Other consumer campaigns highlighted during the month included Lake of Bays Brewing Company’s Off the Grid Hazy Pale Ale, The Cheesecake Factory’s Chocolate Caramelicious Cheesecake with Snickers®, and a partial revenue campaign with MyClosing.
“This year has shown us that we are really stronger together,” says Stewart. “The amazing support from our partners and friends during Hunger Action Month and 2020 ensured that Ontario’s food banks could continue to serve our neighbors hardest hit by this crisis. We are indescribably grateful. “
To learn more about Hunger Action Month, please visit https://feedontario.ca/hunger-action-month
To learn more about how Feed Ontario is responding to COVID-19, please visit: https://feedontario.ca/covid-19/
About the Hunger Action Month
In September, Feed Ontario encourages the public to take action to end hunger in their communities through four key actions: education, advocacy, volunteering, and donations. Conducted in partnership with Food Banks Canada and local food banks, 2020 marked the fifth year of the annual Ontario campaign and the third year nationally.
Via Feed Ontario
From securing fresh and healthy food sources to promoting change through policy research and innovative programs, Feed Ontario brings together boards, industry partners and local communities in our work to fight hunger and poverty.
Join us as we feed Ontario and help build a healthier province. Every dollar raised provides 3 meals to a needy Ontarian.
For more information, please contact:
Rachel Dixon, head of development
Feeding ontario
(416) 656-4100, ext. 2937, [email protected]
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