Annual City-Wide Food Drive

CALGARY, AB--(Marketwired - September 19, 2015) - Today is the city's largest single-day food drive and this year's annual event happens when the Calgary Food Bank is heading into a period of high demand.

"We have seen a steady increase in the number of new clients due to the downturn in the economy and we anticipate that to continue through the Fall." Keoma Duce, Development Coordinator -- Organizational Giving at the Calgary Food Bank explains, "Budgets are already stretched but when you add back-to-school expenses or a job loss this can create a crisis where many families find they need emergency food support. So this food drive is critical to ensuring we have the quality food for Calgarians in need."

For the past 11 years 7,000 families volunteer to make this important event happen. The week prior to the food drive, volunteers leave collection bags and information flyers on the doorsteps of neighbourhoods throughout the city. The donations are then picked up from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Non-perishable food donations may also be brought to the warehouse until 5 p.m.

The Calgary Food Bank can leverage $1 into $5 due to their relationships with food industry. For those who may wish to donate funds instead, they can visit http://calgaryfoodbank.akaraisin.com/calgarycitywide2015. If donation bags have not been picked up by 1 p.m. on Saturday the 19th, Calgarians can call 587-316-1623.

More than 489,000 lbs was collected in 2014
The first City-Wide Food Drive was on Sept. 10, 2005 and more than 290,000 lbs was collected
In 2008, Calgary held the Guinness Book of World Records status for the 'largest food drive in 24 hours -- single location' with a total 511,102b lbs.

This release is transmitted courtesy of Marketwired.