Corporate leaders make it their business to provide food for the hungry

Daily Bread Food Bank announces its 2013 "Best in Class" awards

TORONTO, Sept. 26, 2013 /CNW/ - Five companies have been recognized as corporate leaders in the fight against hunger for their contribution to Daily Bread Food Bank.  Daily Bread's "Best in Class" awards acknowledge the countless valuable contributions of corporate leaders.

"Daily Bread relies on corporations who believe that giving back is not just a business practice, but a way of life. They help us to provide food and resources for so many people in need," says Gail Nyberg, Executive Director.  "Our "Best in Class" award winners are transforming what 'citizenship' and 'community' mean to their employees and the communities they work in.  These corporations are giving them opportunities through the workplace to become engaged in issues relating to hunger, as well as giving them and their families the opportunity to get involved and make a real difference."

Daily Bread Food Bank, with its member network of 170 community organizations across Toronto, is essential to ensuring people don't go hungry in Toronto.  Yet the organization's core operations are entirely dependent on private sector donations, receiving no United Way funding and almost no government funding.

The five businesses receiving the awards all demonstrate a commitment to community with their support for Daily Bread.  The 2013 award winners are:

• Corus Entertainment received the Champion Award in recognition of its role as a leading donor and fundraiser for its national Corus Feeds Kids campaign.  Corus has supported Daily Bread for 15 years and donated and raised more than $200,000 in funds and food. In 2012 Corus also provided 900 hours of volunteer labour in our warehouse and hosted our annual fundraising event, Ultimate Food Challenge.
  
  
• Cisco Canada received the Corporate Volunteer Group Award for leadership in volunteer contributions.  Last year Cisco Canada contributed the equivalent of a full-time warehouse worker for half the year.  More than 200 Cisco Canada employees and their families stuffed 12,000 Santa Hampers in just two days to give out to families across the GTA during the holidays.
  
  
• Purolator received the Change Maker Award for its program "Tackle Hunger" which raises funds and food, and spreads awareness on the issue of hunger across the country.  A supporter for more than a decade, Purolator has raised close to $300,000 in cash and food donations for Daily Bread.
  
  
• Microsoft Canada received the Achiever Award for significantly increasing its support, including volunteer support, over previous years.
  
  
• Gambles Produce received the Leader Award for its outstanding donation of in-kind (food) over the past three years.  The company has been one of Daily Bread's top ten food donors for many years and its infusion of healthy fresh produce into our hampers and meals is most appreciated.

About Daily Bread Food Bank:
Daily Bread Food Bank is a non-profit, charitable organization that is fighting hunger in our community. A leader in the fight against hunger, Daily Bread provides food and resources for people through neighbourhood food banks and meal programs in over 170 community agencies across Toronto.  We know feeding people struggling with hunger won't solve poverty; that's why Daily Bread does more.  We work to support people by providing job training; researching and educating people on issues of hunger and moving forward with innovative and realistic solutions that will help people break away from poverty.  Learn more at www.dailybread.ca. To view photos of Daily Bread's "Best in Class" award winners, please go to www.facebook.com/DailyBreadFoodBank.

Daily Bread Food Bank is fighting to end hunger in our communities.

SOURCE: Daily Bread Food Bank

Sarah Anderson
Senior Manager, Communications
T: 416-203-0050 ext. 238
E: [email protected]
M: 416-450-2196