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Ashley HomeStore campaign back three area food banks

Company and customers contribute to December campaign that raises $14,000 for food drives in three communities 

A Sudbury-based furniture store has made a significant donation to the Banque d'aliments Sudbury Food Bank thanks to the generosity of its customers and staff.

The Ashley HomeStore on Barrydowne Road presented a cheque Friday to the Sudbury Food Bank to mark the company's December campaign.

Owner Paul McQueen said he and the staff believe that supporting the food bank is a valid endeavour and one that his many customers agree with. McQueen said the staff was able to sell $10 ballots to store customers in return for a chance at a $1,000 in-store shopping spree. 

McQueen said the venture resulted in a significant payday for the food bank, not just in Sudbury, but also with company stores located in North Bay and Espanola, donating to local food drives in those communities. 

He said each store offered their own $1,000 prize.

"I've always felt that we have a responsibility to the community and where we can help, we do. So we have certain things and causes that we get behind and we've added this to our list this year, and hopefully we'll do this every year," McQueen said. 

He added that he was more than pleased with the regional approach on fundraising.

"So all three of our stores did this during the month of December, and we raised $5,500 here in Sudbury. But with the total at all three locations we raised $14,000," McQueen said. 

Daniel Xilon, the executive director of Banque d'aliments Sudbury Food Bank, said he is always amazed at the generosity of Northern Ontario businesses and their customers. 

"Actually this is another incredible and wonderful company throwing their support to help the people in our community that are hungry," said Xilon. “We are just so blessed to have so many community partners and community businesses that understand hunger. They understand the need to help and are in a position where they're prepared to do so not only for them, but their customers, because their customers help with making these donations possible.” 

He said he wished he could thank everyone personally.

"So my thanks to all  at Ashley HomeStore, and to all the business communities that have helped us," he said. 

He said the Banque d'aliments Sudbury Food Bank is an agency that oversees more than 40 charitable food organizations in Greater Sudbury. Xilon said he was pleased with the community response during the holiday season.

"At the present time, we had a very, very good December. The community came to the forefront for the food that we need. The only question remains now is how big the numbers go that need the help.  That number is still growing. If they stay where they are, we should be fine for a few months. But if they don't, we won't be. It's pretty simple," said Xilon.

Len Gillis covers health care and mining for Sudbury.com.


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Len Gillis

About the Author: Len Gillis

Graduating from the Journalism program at Canadore College in the 1970s, Gillis has spent most of his career reporting on news events across Northern Ontario with several radio, television and newspaper companies. He also spent time as a hardrock miner.
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