Food Banks Canada Honours its Leading Corporate Partners with Annual Donor Awards

Awards recognize significant support to the food banking community

TORONTO, Jan. 29, 2013 /CNW/ - Food Banks Canada announced the recipients of its second annual Corporate Donor awards to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of its corporate donors to reduce hunger in Canada. The Corporate Donor awards recognize donors in three categories: Award of Excellence, Donor of the Year and Innovator of the Year.

"Recognizing the passion and generosity of these exceptional corporations is a great honour. These companies have gone above and beyond to assist Canadians in need" says Robin Garrett, Chair of the Board, Food Banks Canada. "With close to 900,000 Canadians turning to food banks each month it takes the commitment of all Canadians to make a difference, and we are grateful that so many in the business community are supporting our work."

This year's award recipients:

The Award of Excellence was presented to Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) for its positive impact on the issue of hunger and food banking in Canada.   Loblaw has supported Food Banks Canada and its membership through its Extra Helping food drive campaigns in addition to the company's significant contribution to the National Food Share System.

The Donor of the Year was awarded to Shaw Communications Inc. for its significant commitment through its national cause marketing campaign 'Together is Amazing' that included a national food and fund drive and awareness raising campaign that engaged Shaw employees across Canada.

The Innovator of the Year was presented to Walmart Canada for its unique contribution to food banking in Canada. The company initiated a Retail Food Program which matches food banks with Walmart stores to enable donations of food and consumer goods.

Congratulations to all our donors who help to reduce hunger through fundraising, food donations and bringing much needed attention to the hunger issue.

The awards were presented at Food Banks Canada's annual Celebrating our Partners breakfast. To view the partner videos visit www.facebook.com/foodbankscanada.

About Food Banks Canada
Food Banks Canada is the national charitable organization representing the food bank community across Canada. Our Members, Affiliate Member food banks, and their respective agencies serve approximately 85% of people accessing emergency food programs nationwide. Our mission is to meet the short-term need for food and find long-term solutions to reduce hunger. Please visit www.foodbankscanada.ca for more information.

SOURCE: Food Banks Canada

Marzena Gersho
Media Relations
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