The London Cares Curb Hunger drive for the London Food Bank kicks off this week, but it's going to look different from those of the past.
The 24th annual food drive begins Wednesday, but this year's drive will not see donations picked up at the curb on garbage and recycling pickup days.
According to London's Director of Engineering, Fleet, and Solid Waste, the decision to stop curbside collection has nothing to do with the COVID-19 pandemic. Jay Stanford said the decision was made to remove that aspect of the campaign before the pandemic hit.
"And the reason being is that Londoners were looking at other ways of participating, and it's about meeting their needs on how they help to meet Londoners' needs," Stanford said.
Instead, Londoners are being asked to make financial donations online at www.londonfoodbank.com or place non-perishable food items in collection bins at grocery stores. Donations of fresh and non-perishable food items are also being accepted at the food bank at 926 Leathorne St.
While the COVID-19 pandemic is not the reason for the decision to stop curbside pickups, the pandemic is still weighing heavy on the minds of the food bank and city officials as thousands of Londoners have been laid off because of the economic slowdown.
"The London Cares Curb Hunger campaign is the longest-running partnership of its kind in Canada," said Mayor Ed Holder. "Especially during times like these where the impact of COVID-19 has touched so many Londoners, I know the generosity and compassion of our community coming together will make this 24th year a success.”
In addition to monetary and food donations, Londoners are invited to grow food for the food bank. People can sign up to "Plant a Row, Grow a Row" of produce in their backyard or community gardens.
“The need for financial and food donations continues to grow each year, and we continue to focus on increasing donations of fresh food,” said food bank Co-Executive Director Jane Roy. “Now, perhaps more than ever, it is important to support the more than 25,000 individuals who rely on the London Food Bank in addition to some of the most vulnerable in our community that require additional assistance.”
The London Cares Curb Hunger campaign runs from June 3 to June 13.