As in past years, Western once again hopes to lead by example as it plays an important role in the annual Business Cares Food Drive.
The citywide campaign got off to a fast start at the university’s London Hall Tuesday morning with more than 1,000 pounds of canned goods on hand to kick-of the annual fundraiser.
Last year more than 133,000 pounds of food was donated, with Western bringing a record-breaking 17,000 last year. Since 2000, Western has brought in more than 36,000 pounds of food.
Helping to kick-of the annual Business Cares Food Drive are, from left, Vaughn Martin (Mustangs football), Marsha McCutcheon (Resident Operations Manager), Wayne Dunn (campaign chair), Andy Rady (Mustangs football), JW, Richard Zulys (Mustang football) and Rich Caccamo (VP Student Events, USC).
Campaign chair Wayne Dunn is thrilled not only with Western’s involvement in the food drive, but says hundreds of businesses across London are ready to make a difference. Some of the top contributors this year include Acosta, Coca-Cola, Heinz, Kellogg, Primo Pasta, McCormack Bourrie, Mother Parker’s, Natre, Nestle Professional, C.W. Shaskys and Unilever.
“Western is a true partner in this endeavour,” says Dunn. “The support of the London community is exceptional and I am confident they will make this year a success. London is always caring.”
The three-week campaign will be at a number of locations in December, including collection weekends at Costco (Dec. 5-7, 12-14 and 19-21) and the London Knights annual ‘be a fan, bring a can’ campaign.
City of London CAO Jeff Fielding says the annual food drive is an initiative that unites city hall.
“It is one of more fun events we hold each year,” says Fielding, joking it’s “the one thing we do at the city that everyone agrees with – even council.”
Dunn reminds the community that no business campaign is too small to make a difference.
“Every little bit helps,” he says.
To find out more about the citywide campaign, visit Business Cares Food Drive (www.businesscares.ca). To learn more about Western’s ongoing food drive, click here.