The Sudbury Food Bank has been given a much-needed financial boost thanks to the Lougheed Foundation, which donated $100,000 to help feed Sudburians during the COVID-19 crisis.
“The Sudbury Food Bank for over 30 years has been a vital resource to helping feed the hungry through its network of over 40 local food providers,” said Geoffrey Lougheed, founder of the Sudbury Food Bank. “With the coronavirus crisis, Gerry and I felt it was important to provide essential resources to help feed the hungry with the increased demand.”
Dan Xilon, executive director of the Sudbury Food Bank, thanked the Lougheed Foundation for its donation.
“We recently kicked off our Cash for Cans campaign to raise $250,000," he said. "This donation is awesome and we hope others will join the Lougheed Brothers to help feed the hungry.”
As of noon on March 26, the Cash for Cans Campaign has raised $50,847 from businesses and individuals after just four days into the campaign.
“During this unprecedented time of physical distancing to stop COVID-19 from spreading, we’re all experiencing big changes to our normal daily routines," Xilon said. "But the need for the Sudbury Food Bank hasn’t changed. In fact, we are already seeing more people turn to us for assistance as their jobs and businesses have been put on hold.”
Gerry Lougheed, who has been active for many years with the Elgin Street Mission (one of the food providers supported by the Sudbury Food Bank), is organizing help for that organization to provide weekend meals. To donate directly to the meal program, phone 705-673-2163.
Also heeding the call for help to feed Sudburians in this time of need was the owners of Doyle Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Inc. Co-owners Brian Doyle and Blake Didone donated $10,000 to the Cash for Cans campaign.
They provided the first major donation on March 25.
“We are all in this together, and we want to do our part as a local business that has been supported so greatly by our community,” said Didone. “Without that support, we would not be able to make this donation, especially in these times. If you or your business are able to help, please give however you can.”
There are three ways to support the Cash for Cans campaign:
- Go online at www.sudburyfoodbank.ca/donate.
- Mail your cheque to Sudbury Food Bank, 1105 Webbwood Dr., Sudbury ON, P3C 3B6.
- Phone 705-671-9663 to make a donation over the phone.
