Donations down as food drive enters last day

It's the final day of the London Cares Curb Hunger Food Drive and food bank officials are hoping for a surge in last-minute donations.

Almost 37,000 pounds of food had been collected as of Thursday's count, which is down about 10 per centfrom this time last year.

Glen Pearson, Executive Director of the London Food Bank, said that while they don't have a donation goal set in stone, the drive brought in about 47,000 pounds of food last year and they'd at least like to match that.

Pearson saidthe slip in donations is likely because of the hustle and bustleof this week's provincial election, but that the food drivetypically sees a spike in donations on the final day.

"It always happens this way, but mostly because people are just really busy and mean to get around to it but need the extra push."

'Freshening' up the food drive

Select grocery stores across the city are also participating in the food drive, but in a slightly different capacity this year through the city's fresh food rescue.

The pilot project,which was built-in under London's blue box program, allows grocery stores to take their surplus of fresh food and give it to the food bank.

The Real Canadian Superstore on Oxford Street East is one of the grocers that'sparticipating. The city is actively looking to recruit more, including No Frills, who Pearson saidwas in contact with him earlier this week.

Pearson also said that although the amount of fresh food that will be coming in is still unknown, the initiative is a win-win for London families and the environment.

"The best part is that it's not just helping families, it's also about London taking that environmental responsibility," said Pearson. "I think we're going to seebig things come of this."

Last call for donations

Londoners have all day Saturday to drop off their donations atgrocery stores or local fire halls.

Baby formula and special diet foods (such asgluten-free meals)are some of the items the food bank currently needs the most. Aside from that, any canned foods, pasta and rice would be much appreciated, said Pearson.

"We're hoping for a big finish ... We'll see what happens."