With these big names behind the Ottawa Food Bank’s 25th anniversary campaign, hunger shouldn’t stand a chance.
But while former chief of defence staff Gen. Rick Hillier, Ottawa police Chief Vern White, Mayor Larry O’Brien, auditor general Sheila Fraser, University of Ottawa president Allan Rock and Transport Minister John Baird are some of the more than 25 people who helped to kick off the campaign yesterday, organizers are hoping the whole community will get behind them — with 25 bucks in hand.
With the recession, now more than ever Ottawa needs the food bank, said campaign chairperson Michael Sangster.
“We are calling on everyone in the entire National Capital Region to become a hero — a hero fighting hunger — by donating $25 and asking 25 friends to do the same.”
Over the next six weeks, members of the community are encouraged to go online and support the food bank with a $25 donation. Each of those donors are then asked to find 25 people to make a $25 donation, and so on.
“Even in a great society, there are those that fall through the cracks,” said Hillier, an honorary campaign co-chairperson. That’s where the food bank comes in, he said.
“I don’t think there’s an organization that has a greater impact on the city,” said White, who is also serving as an honorary co-chair.
The food bank supplies 12 tonnes of food a day to 131 organizations. It assists 43,000 people each month, 16,000 of which are children.
Ottawa Food Bank executive director Peter Tilley said the campaign goal is “wide open.”
To donate, visit www.theottawafoodbank.ca.
