APRIL 20, 2020
COVID-19: Calgary Food Bank Receives $60,000 Donation from
Local Area Toyota Dealers and Toyota Canada to Help Those in Need
Calgary, (Alberta), April 20, 2020 - For many Canadians, the
COVID-19 pandemic has turned putting food on the table into yet another source
of anxiety. It's estimated that, even in prosperous times, upwards of one
million people across the country rely on food banks each month. Today - with
many Canadians suddenly out of work - that number is bound to be higher.
Toyota Canada and its network of Toyota dealers are
responding to this need. In the Calgary area - where the Calgary Food Bank
demand is up by 20 percent compared to last spring - six Toyota dealers have
made a significant contribution to a food drive being promoted by Arlene
Dickinson, a Calgary-based entrepreneur, venture capitalist and regular on
CBC's Dragon's Den.
"This isn't the first time our dealers have supported the
Calgary Food Bank, but these extraordinary circumstances inspired a group of
them to reach out to those helping the more vulnerable members of our community
during this challenging time," said Mitch Massey, General Manager, Heninger
Toyota, on behalf of the six dealers.
Canyon Creek Toyota, Charlesglen Toyota, County Hills
Toyota, Heninger Toyota, South Pointe Toyota, and Stampede Toyota each
contributed $5,000 to the campaign. Toyota Canada then matched each dealer's
contribution dollar-for-dollar, bringing the total donation to $60,000.
"Toyota Canada has created a program to match the donations
our dealers make to these types of local COVID-19 response initiatives," said
David Lee, Zone Manager, Toyota Canada Inc., adding that the company has
committed to matching local dealer donations up to a total of $1 million. "Our
dealers are in the best position to determine what's needed in their own
communities, so we just want to make their efforts even more effective by
matching their funding. Effectively, we want to double their local donation."
Along with Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi, the fundraising
effort was promoted on April 5th and, within 24 hours, donations had topped
$200,000 - including the $60,000 from the local Toyota dealers. A week into the
campaign, that number had ballooned to more than $425,000.
Since each $1 raised in donations buys $5 in food, the
Calgary Food Bank will be able to deliver more than $2,000,000 in aid to those
in need as a result of this campaign.
What does that buy? A hamper of essentials from the Calgary
Food Bank feeds one adult for four to five days and costs roughly $60, so the
$60,000 donated by Toyota Canada and the local Toyota dealers will help provide
food for 1,000 Calgarians in need.
While the six Toyota dealers normally thrive on healthy
competition in the Calgary area, this was an important time to join forces and
give back to the community they call home.
"We're grateful for what we have and recognize that that
there are many people in the greater Calgary area who don't have the shelter,
safety, food or good health that we do," said Massey. "When we realized the
effect that the COVID-19 pandemic would have on our neighbours right here in
the city, we jumped at the opportunity to help out."
Those looking to support the Calgary Food Bank can find
further information at www.calgaryfoodbank.com. To find a food bank near you
and learn how you can help, visit Food Banks Canada at: www.foodbankscanada.ca.
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