CBC Calgary's Food Bank Drive nets more than $1.4M

The final tally is in for the annual CBC Calgary Food Bank Drive, and it came in at a whopping$1,446,959 in food and funds.

Calgary Food Bank CEO James McAra said the donations will go a long way to help families and individuals in crisis.

"We wish we could say that there was no need for a food bank and that there was no hunger in Calgary," he said in a release.

"Unfortunately the need is still high and from our first-hand experience, we do not expect it to ease any time soon. We know that Calgarians are still struggling and thanks to this campaign we will continue to ensure that no one goes hungry in the New Year."

CBC Calgary's Blitz Day on Dec. 21 lifted the donation tally over the $1-million mark. One of the biggest cheques came from YYC Tech Gives, which donated$232,005.

"As CBC employees, we are proud of the role the public broadcaster plays in bringing people together through ourradio, television and onlineprogramming," said CBC Calgarycommunications manager Suzanne Waddell.

"As Calgarians, we are inspired by those who give to the CBC Calgary Food Bank Drive and thankful for the work the Calgary Food Bank does to strengthen our community."

In its 32-year history, the CBC Calgary campaign has raised over $18 million for the Calgary Food Bank.

This past year the food bank has met the demand for 90,864 hampers that affected 184,548 lives.

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