Media release: Purolator Tackle Hunger Red Bag campaign delivers for Dufferin Food Share

Purolator Tackle Hunger Red Bag campaign delivers for Dufferin Food Share

Purolator couriers collect 6,329 pounds of food from Grand Valley community members

GRAND VALLEY, June 11, 2024 — The Purolator Tackle Hunger® Red Bag campaign held in Grand Valley from June 2 to 9 saw community members contribute almost 400 bags, filled with 6,329 pounds of food in support of the Grand Valley Food Bank-Dufferin Food Share.

“This is the first time we have run a Purolator Tackle Hunger Red Bag campaign in the town of Grand Valley and we were so incredibly pleased to see the community rally behind such a good cause, in support of the Dufferin Food Share,” said Melody Scarlett, Senior Sales Account Executive and Purolator Tackle Hunger champion.

The Red Bag campaign saw volunteers drop off red bags throughout the Grand Valley community, with residents asked to fill up their bags with non-perishable food items and leave them on their doorsteps on June 9 for collection by Purolator couriers.

The Dufferin Food Share is a partnership between the Grand Valley Food Bank and Orangeville Food Bank, with the two organizations joining forces earlier this year to better address food insecurity within Dufferin County. The Grand Valley Food Bank saw a 47 per cent increase in need from 2022 to 2023, while Orangeville Food Bank saw increases of 37 per cent in the same period.

“The Volunteers from the Grand Valley Food Bank/Dufferin Food Share were thrilled with the prospect of a town-wide initiative of providing food for our local food bank,” said food bank staff member Carol van der Grinten. “There was an overwhelming amount of food and enthusiasm brought through our doors on Sunday. Thank you to Purolator, your staff and recruited volunteers for such a tremendous effort.  It was a wonderful, small-town, feel-good day for all involved. We are so very grateful.”

About Purolator Tackle Hunger®Canadian food banks had almost two million visitors in March 2023 — representing the highest usage in Canadian history, according to the Food Banks Canada’s HungerCount 2023. As part of Purolator’s commitment to helping alleviate hunger in the communities where it operates, the organization works closely with its employees, partners, agents, customers and Canadian food banks to collect food and monetary donations and help raise awareness about the issue of food insecurity. Since the inception of Purolator’s employee-led grassroots program over 20 years ago, Purolator Tackle Hunger® has helped deliver more than 22 million pounds of food to Canadian food banks across Canada. More information: purolatortacklehunger.com.

Media contact:

Tom KennedySenior Consultant Communications, Purolator416 717-0378 | tom.kennedy@purolator.com