TORONTO, Nov. 27 /CNW/ - The Canadian Association of Food Banks (CAFB) is
pleased to announce that the food bank community is receiving an unexpected
holiday gift from Rogers Communications. On behalf of each of their employees,
Rogers is making a $10 donation to select food banks - donating a total of
$270,000.
"This comes at a wonderful time of the year for food banks, assisting
families who are in need of food," said Katharine Schmidt, Executive Director
of the Canadian Association of Food Banks. "We are grateful for Rogers'
on-going support at a local level. This donation is a wonderful gift."
"Rogers has a long tradition of giving back to the communities where we
do business," says Phil Lind, Vice Chairman, Rogers Communications Inc. "We
are pleased to make this donation on behalf of our 27,000 employees who are
the reason behind our company's success."
Rogers contributes to food banks in many communities throughout the year
and, in addition, Rogers Wireless and Fido are already a national sponsor in
the Phones-For-Food program in partnership with the CAFB. The Phones-for-Food
program was launched in 2003 as an initiative by the CAFB to help alleviate
hunger and divert electronic waste from landfill sites. Since the partnership
began over $300,000 has been generated for food banks across the country. One
donated wireless device, depending on its age and condition, can generate up
to $5 for food banks - equivalent to the cost of a jar of peanut butter or
carton of milk.
About the Canadian Association of Food Banks
Founded in 1985, the Canadian Association of Food Banks (CAFB) is a
national umbrella organization representing a network of regional and
community food banks, including provincial associations and food distribution
centres. CAFB is the voice of food banks in Canada, with members and their
agencies serving approximately 90 per cent of people relying on emergency food
programs nation-wide. CAFB operates the National Food Sharing System,
coordinating the shipment of food donations through voluntary transport to
food banks across the country. In addition to food received from the CAFB,
food bank members distribute an estimated 150 million pounds of food per year
to the less fortunate in their communities. In March 2007, over 720,000
different people accessed food banks, 39% of which were children. While CAFB
provides food daily for people in need, its ultimate goal is a hunger-free
Canada.
www.cafb-acba.ca