Christmas campaign raises $113k for Infant Food Bank

The seventh annual ‘All I Need for Christmas’ campaign in support of the Sudbury Infant Food Bank raised more than $113,000 worth of donations, made up of baby supplies, food and monetary contributions.

The December-long campaign was held to support infants in our community whose parents are struggling to provide the basic needs for their children.

According to Infant Food Bank (IFB) staff, the campaign brought in approximately $113,120.00. The value is an approximation because different stores sell items for different prices and some items arrive gently used.

Of the total, the “Fill A Crib” initiative led by the Rotary Club of Sudbury Sunrisers brought in approximately $38,410.00.

This initiative includes the value of the cribs and playpens donated by local businesses as well as the items and monetary donations added to the crib by employees and patrons of each participating business.

“The kindness and generosity of our community has been remarkable again this year. We are truly amazed by the generosity of Sudburians,” said Dedee Flietstra, IFB Executive Director.

“On behalf of the clients and staff of the Infant Food Bank, I would like to express our deepest appreciation to every person and every business who contributed to help struggling families with infants in Greater Sudbury.”

The donations from the December 2015 campaign will be used to ensure that the Infant Food Bank shelves are stocked with baby essentials such as diapers, food and clothing.

In 2015 there were 4,384 client visits and a total of 17,883 individual needs met. The Infant Food Bank spearheaded by Petryna Advertising, has held a fundraising campaign during the month of December since 2009.

The campaign, supported by partners Hot 93.5, The Rotary Club of Sudbury Sunrisers and local drycleaners has raised awareness and in excess of a half million dollars for the Infant Food Bank made up of monetary and material donations, over the past seven years.

“Our initial goal was to bring awareness to Sudburians of the Infant Food Bank because we knew that there were families in our community who were on the breadline and infants who were not getting the essentials,” said Petryna Advertising President, David Petryna.

“We hoped that through this campaign we would be able to make a difference. Based on the support we’ve received from Sudburians these past seven years, we’re so pleased to know that we’ve collectively helped those who need help the most”,

While the “All I Need for Christmas” campaign runs during the month of December, the Infant Food Bank graciously accepts donations year-round as the need is always great.

Baby food, formula, diapers, pull-ups, wipes and clothing are needed throughout the year – with the current need being formula and size 5 and 6 diapers.

The Infant Food Bank (part of the Pregnancy Care Centre of Sudbury, est. 1996) is a not-for-profit charitable organization funded solely by individual donations. The Infant Food Bank provides practical support to families twice monthly as a relief program when times get tough.

There are currently more than 700 families registered. Visit www.pccifb.ca for more information or to donate online.