FACTS AT A GLANCE

CANADA’S FOOD BANKS

• Began operation in Edmonton in 1981.
• Move $75 worth of food for every dollar received.
• Are charitable organizations relying on private donations of food and operating funds.  They receive no assistance from any level of government.
• Serve approximately 800,000 people a month.  2000 agencies serviced by food banks serve 2.29 million meals a month.
• Provided emergency food assistance to 300,000 children in a typical month in 2005.
• Rely on 900,000 hours of labour, including 468,000 volunteer hours to operate 639 food banks across the country
• Typically provide other services such as advocacy, income assistance applications, and training programs.

CHRISTMAS & WINTER RELIEF ASSOCIATION

• Non-profit association founded in 1988 by Tom Jackson with a mandate to raise money for community service and charitable organizations
• Has raised over $5M for food banks and family service agencies in Canada
  
• Launched Singing for Supper Tour that raised $402,000 and collected 13,417 pounds of food for 18 communities in 2008
  
• Optimizes fundraising campaigns by financing project overhead allowing communities to retain 100% of earnings from special events.
• Launched Swinging for Supper – a series of national golf tournaments

The fourth season of “Swinging for Supper” golf tournaments was met with overwhelming response in Halifax, NS, Moncton, NB, Winnipeg, MB, Regina, SK, and Calgary, AB. Sponsors and special guests were entertained the night before at ‘kitchen parties’ featuring Tom Jackson, Tom McKillip and Craig Bignell in performance. Tournament hosts reported an increase in corporate support and registrants with plans developing quickly for 2010. Thanks to 2009 national sponsors Rotary International District 5360 Inc., Enbridge and Barefoot Wine.

More info at swingingforsupper.ca.