"As one of Food Banks Canada's Top 10 Food Drives, FCC [Farm Credit Canada] Drive Away Hunger is making an impact in rural communities across the country," Katharine Schmidt, Executive Director Food Banks Canada, said. "The passion and drive of their employees is inspiring and is a testament to the commitment they have to their communities. We are thrilled to partner with FCC in 2013 and wish them a successful and food filled 10th Anniversary."
Farm Credit Canada has been working hard for the past 10 years to "Drive Away Hunger." The program first developed when FCC decided because they were in the business of agriculture they are ultimately in the business of producing food. Over the years FCC has grown Drive Away Hunger into the largest employee-led food drive in Canada and through community collaboration has successfully raised 11 million lbs of food according to Brent Bender, District Manager of FCC.
In Carlyle food was raised by the Carlyle Elementary School between Oct. 1st and 11th to assist FCC in their goal of raising five million lbs of food this year. Through their efforts the students of CES were able to raise a total of 311 lbs, which the Carlyle employees of FCC then took to the Carlyle United Church basement, via tractor and trailer, where the local Food Bank is organized.
Bender explained, "25,000 people use food banks every month and most of those are kids. This is the reason it is important to hold the DAH [Drive Away Hunger] tour."