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CBC Calgary Suncor Food Bank Drive has record fundraising year

Over the last few months, Calgarians and local businesses helped raise more money and food than ever before — breaking a record for the annual fundraiser.

In spite of poor economy, more money was raised than in 30 years

The Calgary Eyeopener · CBC News ·
A volunteer sorts through donations at the Calgary Food Bank. (Jennifer Lee/CBC)

All the cans, cheques and piggy banks have been counted and it's official — we have just had the most successful CBC Calgary Suncor Food Bank Drive in 30 years.

The annual fundraiser brought in close to $1.8-million in money and food for our city's less fortunate. 

Total raised: $1,771,592.44

"We could not do this without CBC, without the generosity of listeners, without Calgarians — who get it. And that is the thing that we see every day, is that we know how to get through this and look after our neighbours," said James McAra, CEO of the Calgary Food Bank.

Sales from the Calgary Eyeopener One Gray Knight travel mug and Fratello Coffee beans also raised at least $13,000 for the Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Okotoks and Airdrie food banks.

"You know I think those that could give, gave more," said Suzanne Waddell, communications, marketing and brand manager for CBC Calgary.

"Whether it was a gentleman who came in with a jar of peanut butter because that's really all he could give, to kids collecting money from their birthday parties, to giving their allowances," she said.

Online donations for the Calgary Food Bank were up 107 per cent this year.

From left to right: James McAra is the CEO of the Calgary Food Bank, Suzanne Waddell is CBC Calgary's director of communications, brand and marketing and Cathy Glover is the director of community investment with Suncor Energy. (CBC)

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