News Releases
Between September 29th and October 10th BMO Bank of Montreal branches throughout Ontario will be raising much needed food and funds for local food banks to help fight hunger in their communities. As an added incentive, all cash donations raised in Ontario on October 08th will be matched by BMO Bank of Montreal (up to a total of $10,000).
According to the Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB), over 300,000 people rely on food banks every month - 40 per cent of which are children.
“I personally have a soft spot for Food banks,” said Bruce Williams, Vice President for York Simcoe District at BMO Bank of Montreal, who is leading BMO’s food bank initiative in Ontario. “Having worked with the board of a community based food bank for several years, I feel that this initiative presents a great opportunity for all of us at BMO to make a very positive impact on the well being of the communities in which we live and work.”
Bob Spencer, Executive Director at the OAFB notes that as we enter into the winter months, an increasing number of people will be spending more and more money on heating costs and necessities such as winter coats for their kids - money that otherwise would go toward food purchases. In addition to increasing the costs of day-to-day living, these additional requirements make it very difficult for people to make ends meet. The resulting increased demand and reliance on food banks at this time of year makes this particular food drive so important.
“This is an extremely worthwhile initiative that will truly result in tangible local benefits, as the food and monies raised will go directly to agencies in each of our communities,” said Pam Robertson, Executive Vice President, Ontario Division, BMO Bank of Montreal.
The Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB) is a membership-based, non-profit charitable organization of food banks throughout Ontario. Its mandate is to assist in meeting the immediate food needs of food bank recipients and to work toward long-term solutions to hunger and poverty. Over 100 food banks are members of the OAFB.
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