Between September 29th and October 10th, BMO Bank of Montreal branches throughout Ontario held a food collection and fundraising drive in support of local food banks. The initiative was a resounding success, raising over $124,000 in cash and food.
Through the generous support of both customers and employees, more than $62,000 in financial contributions and almost 14,000 kilos (30,000 lbs.) of food were collected during the campaign. A further $10,000 was donated by BMO Bank of Montreal. The value of the food collected over the 12-day period is estimated to be the equivalent of nearly $52,000, bringing the total raised by the drive to more than $124,000.
“This food drive was a tremendous success,” said Bruce Williams, Vice-President, BMO Bank of Montreal, who led BMO’s food bank initiative. “Having worked with community-based food banks for many years, I know the efforts of our employees and customers will be very much appreciated by their communities and that the food and monetary contributions will make a real difference to many of the province’s most vulnerable residents.”
“I’m extremely proud of the efforts made by all employees throughout Ontario, and by the generosity displayed by our customers,” said Pam Robertson, Executive Vice-President, Ontario Division, BMO Bank of Montreal. “To everyone who played a part or made a contribution, I want to offer my sincere appreciation.”
The BMO food drive was conducted in partnership with BMO Fountain of Hope – the employee-run foundation of BMO Financial Group.
BMO Bank of Montreal is a member of BMO Financial Group (TSX, NYSE: BMO), one of the largest financial services providers in North America. BMO Financial Group serves clients across Canada and in the United States through its Canadian retail arm, BMO Bank of Montreal, through its Chicago-based Harris Bank, a major U.S. mid-west financial services organization, and through BMO Nesbitt Burns, one of Canada's largest full-service investment firms; The Harris wealth management group, and Harris Nesbitt, which provides investment banking services across the U.S.
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