Not only did Dan Xilon and Geoffrey Lougheed, representatives of the Sudbury Food Bank distribute $120,000 to 38 member agencies, responsible for feeding the hungry Friday, but Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci was on hand to acknowledge the good work his government accomplished by providing $107,000 in Trillium Foundation grants for staffing.
?Today we recognize, in part, the successes resulting from the $107,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) grant given last year, which has allowed the food bank to better serve less fortunate Sudbury residents,? said Bartolucci.
The OTF grant was made in March 2004 so the Sudbury Food Bank could better focus energies on new fundraising initiatives and hiring a staff person as well as covering office expenses.
One innovative new initiative this summer was the partnering of the Sudbury Food Bank with local gardeners, members of the Sudbury Horticultural Society. The program called Plant A Row Grow A Row resulted in almost three tons of fresh produce available to the needy.
?This was our first year of this program where local gardeners planted an extra row of garden produce. We find it hard to get produce of this freshness and quality. It was greatly appreciated. I ask all gardeners to participate next year by calling the Sudbury Horticultural Society at 693-2476,? said Xilon, administrator of the Sudbury Food Bank.
