TORONTO, April 15 /CNW/ - Rogers Communications Inc. today announced that
high school students from 15 cities across Canada collected over 18,500 used
wireless devices as part of the inaugural Rogers Phones-for-Food High School
Challenge.
45 high schools in cities from coast to coast - including St. John's,
Saint John, Halifax, Ottawa, Toronto, Richmond Hill, Oshawa, Barrie,
Mississauga, Brampton, London, Sudbury, Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria -
entered the challenge to help reduce e-waste and help fund local food banks by
collecting as many used wireless devices as possible over a five week period.
"These are inspiring results from students across the country," said Rob
Bruce, President, Rogers Wireless Inc. "They have proven they can make a big
difference in our communities by making a positive impact at our food banks
and on our environment."
The award-winning Phones-for-Food program began in 2003 as an initiative
by the Canadian Association of Food Banks (CAFB) to alleviate hunger and
divert waste from landfill sites. In addition to money raised through the
CAFB's thINK FOOD program, almost $500,000 has been generated for food banks
across the country to date. One wireless device, depending on its age and
condition, can be worth up to $5 when donated, which is the equivalent to a
jar of peanut butter, one carton of milk or even an entire meal.
"The creativity and passion of students right across Canada was
overwhelming throughout the Rogers Phones-for-Food High School Challenge,"
said Katharine Schmidt, Executive Director of the CAFB. "Support to the food
bank community through this effort is very much appreciated."
More than 720,000 Canadians rely on food banks each month and 51% of
households receiving food assistance are families with at least one child.
Between 1997 and 2007, the number of people using food banks increased by
8.4%.
Rogers awarded the winning schools in each city $3,000 for the graduating
class's commencement ceremonies. Second place and third place schools in each
city were awarded $1,250 and $750, respectively. All participating schools
will receive the latest and slimmest XpressMusic phone from Nokia - one phone
per school - to use for their graduation fundraising initiatives.
About Rogers Communications Inc.
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Rogers Communications is a diversified Canadian communications and media
company. We are engaged in wireless voice and data communications services
through Wireless, Canada's largest wireless provider and the operator of the
country's only Global System for Mobile Communications ("GSM") based network.
Through Cable and Telecom we are one of Canada's largest providers of cable
television, cable telephony and high-speed Internet access, and are also a
full-service, facilities-based telecommunications alternative to the
traditional telephone companies. Through Media, we are engaged in radio and
television broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade publications,
and sports entertainment. We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange
(TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B), and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For
further information about the Rogers group of companies, please visit
www.rogers.com.
