Stratford, Ontario – In partnership with Ontario Pork, the Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB) is happy to announce that Stratford House of Blessing, alongside 40 OAFB member food banks in South Western Ontario, will be receiving a large donation of fresh, ground pork this March.
“Protein is by far the most needed item by Ontario’s food banks,” says Carolyn Stewart, Acting Director of the OAFB, “and this could not have come at a better time.”
With many families experiencing increased living costs associated with heat, hydro and keeping warm, food bank use often increases during the cold winter months. Stratford House of Blessing is of no exception, as they work to serve over 550 individuals every single month, 34% of which are children.
Ontario’s food banks work very hard to provide well-balanced and healthy food hampers to their clients, including fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh milk, and ground meat. The generous donation of $45,000 made by Ontario Pork in concert with industry for fresh pork purchasing, will make a tremendous impact in helping Stratford House of Blessing and Ontario’s Food Banks ensure that children and adults living with hunger have access to healthy protein, alongside fresh and non-perishable food staples. Recipients will also be provided with recipes and information on fresh ground pork.
The OAFB is also very excited to announce that the OAFB will be the recipient of the funds raised through Stratford’s 2015 Hog Jog. All funding generated through this event will be used to support food banks through the Ontario Pork Program. This could result in an addition 135,000 meals available for those in need in the summer months.
The Hog Jog is celebrating its 10th year and is happy to name the Ontario Association of Food Banks as the 2015 cause. For the last nine years, OPIC has organized the Hog Jog with several objectives in mind - to celebrate the people of the pork industry, to celebrate its product, to give back to the community and to raise awareness of a worthy cause. Its success is owed largely to the enthusiastic participation of runners and walkers, sponsors, neighborhood and industry cheerleaders and the many volunteers who participate each year. Each of these individuals has helped the Hog Jog meet its goals, helping OPIC to raise and donate nearly $300,000 over the past 9 years.
The 3.5k run/walk & 10k run will be held on the evening of Wednesday June 17th at the Stratford Rotary Agriplex – the site of the Ontario Pork Congress.
Source: OntarioPork