CREDIT: KATE OTTERBEIN
The London Cares Food Drive is an annual food drive to help those in need in London.

The 26th annual London Cares Curb Hunger food drive collected a total of 76,800 pounds of food this year. The drive kicked off on June 8, finishing up on June 18. According to a news release from the food bank, more fresh produce is still expected from their various initiatives like Grow-a-Row, Adopt a Plot, and Green Wall.

“Londoners continue to show compassion and support for their neighbours in need by giving to the London Food Bank,” said Mayor Ed Holder in a statement. “Thank you to everyone who donated online, gave at the grocery store, and who is growing food in local gardens to donate.”

At the kick-off event, Glen Pearson, co-director of the London Food Bank, expressed the need for support from the city.


“We think our family numbers are going to go up to 4,000 a month within the next few months and that’s what it’s going to be with the 35 other agencies that we’re helping,” said Pearson.

The 76,800 pounds was donated by:

• Drop-offs to local grocery stores, fire halls, and the London Food Bank: 11,800 lbs.
• Corporate donations: 22,500 lbs.
• Community Refresh program: 16,900 lbs.
• Financial donations ($66,640 at $2.60 per pound): 25,600 lbs equivalent

 

“We offer a special thanks to all those who participated in this year’s curb hunger food drive,” said Pearson in a statement. “The food drive is evolving with an important focus on distributing fresh food with the help of Londoners growing food in local greenhouses, community gardens, and in their own backyards for the food bank. We are encouraging Londoners to keep planting and harvesting fresh produce to donate.”