Daily Bread beats Holiday Drive goal of $1.7 million

TORONTO, Dec. 27, 2012 /CNW/ - Daily Bread's Holiday Drive has exceeded its new financial goal of $1.7 million and raised $1.85 million. While the Holiday Drive started with a goal of $1.5 million, slow food donations meant a last-minute increase to the financial goal with the hope of having enough money donated to make up for a shortfall in food donations.

"We set a goal of trying to raise a million pounds of food. A month into the drive, we weren't even halfway there. We needed to make sure we had either enough food donated or enough money to buy food so we increased our financial goal," said Gail Nyberg, Daily Bread's executive director. "Our dollar does stretch further, so that extra $350,000 will make sure our shelves are full and ensures we have enough for food hampers in January, February and March."

Nyberg made the announcement this morning at Daily Bread's warehouse where, for the second day in a row, over 300 volunteers helped sort through some of the 545,000 pounds of food donated so far.

"It's always great to see so many volunteers here on their holidays helping. I'm reminded of all the time and energy spent by countless people this holiday season that I don't get to see first-hand, who organized fundraising events, collected food at work or school and helped support all that we do to fight hunger," said Nyberg. "I want to thank every donor who has contributed to this drive."

Daily Bread's Holiday Drive officially ends on December 31. As of December 27, $1.85 million and 545,000 pounds of food have been donated. Nutritious, non-perishable food donations can still be dropped off at any local fire hall, Loblaws, No Frill, valu-mart or participating grocery store. Most needed food items include: pasta, dried/canned beans or lentils, rice, canned fruit and vegetables, baby formula and food, tomato sauce, peanut butter and canned or powdered milk. Daily Bread does not receive any funding from the United Way.

To get your donation in on time to receive a tax receipt for 2012, donations can be made easily and securely online at www.dailybread.ca or by mailing a cheque by December 31 to Daily Bread Food Bank, 191 New Toronto St., Toronto, Ontario, M8V 2E7.

SOURCE: Daily Bread Food Bank

For further information:

Sarah Anderson
Senior Manager, Communications
T: 416-203-0050 ext. 238
E: sarah@dailybread.ca
M: 416-450-2196