Daily Bread's 2014 Best in Class Awards recognizes corporate leaders in the fight against hunger

TORONTO, Oct. 8, 2014 /CNW/ - Daily Bread Food Bank's third annual Best in Class Awards event last night recognized top corporate supporters in their efforts in the fight against hunger. With 24 organizations nominated, six walked away with awards honouring their leadership in the community when it comes to donating, volunteering or raising awareness to help end hunger in our communities.

"Last year, over 5,000 employees from 300 companies helped us sort the 9.5 million pounds of food we distributed. About two-thirds of this food was donated by our corporate food industry partners," said Gail Nyberg, Daily Bread's executive director. Not including the value of thousands of hours of volunteer labour, corporate partners donated approximately $7 million in cash and food last year.

Daily Bread's work would not be possible without the extraordinary commitment of these corporate donors. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners!

Partner Award in recognition of company's leadership in the fight to end hunger:

• Loblaw Companies Limited – 2014 Best in Class Award Winner
• TD Bank Group
• RBC
• Walmart Canada

Leader Award in recognition of company's outstanding food donations of most needed items:

• General Mills Canada – 2014 Best in Class Award Winner
• Dairy Farmers of Ontario
• Dominion Produce Ltd.
• Unico Foods Inc.

Champion Award in recognition of company's role as a leading donor and fundraiser:

• CBC Toronto – 2014 Best in Class Award Winner
• Toronto Wholesale Produce Association
• Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
• Purolator

Change Maker Award in recognition of company's support to food banks and hunger prevention more broadly:

• Corus Entertainment – 2014 Best in Class Award Winner
• Campbell Company of Canada
• Cisco
• CBI Health Group

Achiever Award in recognition of company's significant increase in support over previous years:

• Maple Lodge Farms– 2014 Best in Class Award Winner
• F.G. Lister & Company Limited
• FreshBooks
• Target Canada

Corporate Volunteer Award in recognition of company's leadership in volunteer contributions:

• TD Bank Group– 2014 Best in Class Award Winner
• Rogers Communications
• PwC Canada
• Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Co.

About Daily Bread Food Bank
Daily Bread Food Bank is a non-profit, charitable organization that is fighting hunger in our communities. A distribution hub, Daily Bread provides food and resources to almost 200 food programs across Toronto. Daily Bread also works towards long-term solutions to hunger and runs innovative programs to support people on low incomes including a community kitchen, garden, food services training program and an information and referral services centre to connect food bank clients to community resources. For more information on Daily Bread Food Bank, please visit www.dailybread.ca.

SOURCE: Daily Bread Food Bank

For further information: Sarah Anderson, Senior Manager, Communications, T: 416-203-0050 ext. 238, E: [e-mail], M: 416-450-2196