Residents of Barrie and Springwater have helped provide thousands of meals for neighbours in need through Purolator's annual Tackle Hunger National Red Bag campaign.
The campaign delivered the equivalent of 3,424 meals to the Barrie Food Bank after community members filled reusable Red Bags with non-perishable food donations and left them on their doorsteps for pickup.
Purolator volunteers distributed the bags throughout Barrie and Springwater on Sept. 19 before returning on Sept. 26 to collect the donations. Purolator couriers then delivered the food directly to the Barrie Food Bank.
“Our team was proud to bring the community together and help deliver the equivalent of 3,424 meals to Barrie Food Bank,” said Aaron Maynard, Unit Manager, Barrie, Purolator. “Every filled Red Bag represents neighbours helping neighbours, and we’re grateful to everyone who made this campaign a success.”
The donations arrive as food banks across the country continue to face growing demand for assistance from individuals and families struggling with rising living costs.
“Donations from the National Red Bag campaign will make a meaningful difference for individuals and families who are facing food insecurity,” said Karen Shuh, Executive Director, Barrie Food Bank. “We’re thankful to Purolator’s employees and to every resident who contributed. This support helps us keep our shelves stocked and provide nutritious food to people in our community when they need it most.”
The local effort was part of Purolator's fourth annual Tackle Hunger National Red Bag campaign, which saw employees, customers and community members take part in food drives across 25 communities in Canada and the United States throughout September and October.
Since launching the Tackle Hunger program in 2003, Purolator says it has helped deliver more than 27 million meals to food banks across Canada.
Residents wishing to continue supporting food banks can make donations through Purolator's virtual Red Bag program or drop off non-perishable food items at Purolator Shipping Centres across the country.
