The OC Transpo/Loblaw food drive is the longest running food drive in Ottawa and has been supporting the Ottawa Food Bank since it began operating in 1984. The 39th annual food drive was held on Saturday, December 9th, and raised over 66,300 pounds of food and more than $32,000 for the Ottawa Food Bank and Ottawa region food banks.
OC Transpo buses were parked onsite at participating Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore, Your Independent Grocer and No Frills locations in Ottawa to remind residents of the opportunity to donate non-perishable items. All the food items collected were delivered directly to the Ottawa Food Bank, Stittsville Food Bank, Barrhaven Food Cupboard, and the Kanata Food Cupboard.
The in-person food drive may be over, but residents can still make donations online at ottawafoodbank.com/octranspo.
Quotes
“Food insecurity in Ottawa is at an unprecedented level. It is heartwarming to see Team Ottawa and City of Ottawa staff support and donate in times of such great need. Thank you to all the volunteers and donors, and to OC Transpo and our partners at Loblaw Companies Limited and the Ottawa Food Bank who work hard each year to make this event a huge success.”
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, City of Ottawa
“Putting food on the table has become more difficult and expensive. People who have never used the service before are finding themselves having to turn to our local food banks for support. This can be especially true during the holiday season. Thanks to the generosity of the many volunteers and community members who have continued to support the Food Bank for nearly four decades, we are able to offer a little extra help at this time of year.”
Councillor Glen Gower, Chair, Transit Commission
“The Loblaw family of stores are once again delighted and proud to be hosting the annual OC Transpo/Loblaw Food Drive supporting the Ottawa Food Bank in its 39th anniversary edition. Our colleagues get excited to be part of this event every year. This year in particular with food insecurity at an unprecedented level, it is really important to support our community in the most meaningful way possible, to help put food on the table for those in need. We want to thank our partners at OC Transpo, the Ottawa Food Bank, the colleagues in our stores and most importantly the volunteers that give up their day and our customers and community that always step up when our city needs it the most.”
Jeff Brierley, Store Manager, Brierly’s Independent Grocer
“Amidst unprecedented food insecurity, the 39th annual OC Transpo / Loblaw Food Drive brought our community together. A huge thank you to Ottawa residents, the dedicated volunteers, and valued partners like OC Transpo and Loblaw Companies Limited. Your support will ensure thousands of families and individuals will have access to the food they need this holiday season and beyond.”
Rachael Wilson, CEO, Ottawa Food Bank
Quick facts
- The OC Transpo/Loblaw Christmas Food Drive is Ottawa's largest annual single-day grocery store food drive.
- To date, this food drive has raised over three million pounds of food and thousands of dollars for Ottawa's most vulnerable residents.
- OC Transpo is proud to have been associated with the Ottawa Food Bank since its first year of existence. OC Transpo's first food drive was in 1984, the same year the Ottawa Food Bank was founded. It is the longest running food drive in Ottawa.
- In a normal year, the Ottawa Food Bank distributes 14 tons of food every day. This provides over 100 member agencies with supplies to feed our neighbours in need, one-third of whom are children.
- The food drive collects for four local food banks: the Ottawa Food Bank, the Stittsville Food Bank, the Barrhaven Food Cupboard and the Kanata Food Cupboard.
- The Ottawa Food Bank has reported more visits to food banks within the network of 112 member agencies in the past year than it has any other year in its 39-year history.
About Ottawa Food Bank
The Ottawa Food Bank is the main emergency food provider in the National Capital Region, which works in partnership with a network of 112 community food programs to provide food and supplies for those in need. For more information regarding the Ottawa Food Bank and how you can help provide healthy, accessible, sustainable food for all, please visit https://www.ottawafoodbank.ca/.
For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.