The Sudbury Food Bank thanked their 44 member agencies during a historic fall give on Nov. 15, handing out just over $267,000.
Funds were distributed among the food bank's member agencies, which in turn use the money to purchase food and provide a food safety net for hungry individuals and families in the community.
With Thursday's give, the food bank has distributed more than $9,459,980 in funds to local food charities.
"No one is happier than everyone in this building to hand out these cheques today," said Mellaney Dahl, board president, Sudbury Food Bank. "I would like to thank you for everything that you do every day and making a difference among Sudburians. We thank you for your commitment and enjoy working with you and building relationships with you as you build relationships with people in your lives."
The money that was distributed on Thursday came from the last six months of fundraising done by the food bank, which doesn't keep any of the money that it raises. The Sudbury Food Bank holds semi-annual gives - one in the spring, one in the fall - and helps fund their large group of member agencies in feeding the hungry in Greater Sudbury.
It was a banner six months for the food bank, as this year's fall give was the most that they have every distributed at one time, much to the delight of executive director Dan Xilon.
"This is about $10,000 to $15,000 more than we normally do thanks to an incredible summer," said Xilon. "It may just be a one off, but if it keeps going and this becomes our new benchmark then so much the better."
In addition to the money that has been distributed to member agencies to purchase food, the Sudbury Food Bank has collected and distributed more than 5,154 tons (10,308,000 lbs) of perishable and non-perishable food items since its inception.
"It's through the commitment of people like Dan, our volunteers and the community that we've been able to do what we do," said Dahl.
Thursday was a busy day for the Food Bank, as they also celebrated the launch of the Edgar Burton Food Drive on Thursday morning, an initiative that accounts for nearly one quarter of the food that the Food Bank gives out over the course of the year.
For more information on Sudbury Food Bank events and programs, visit them online at sudburyfoodbank.ca.
