CBC Food Bank Drive raises $1.4M for hungry Calgarians, surpassing $1M goal

From children to corporations, Calgarians came together this year to support the CBC Calgary Food Bank Drive by donating $1.4 million to the cause.

Since its inception in 1985, the CBC Calgary campaign has raised more than $19 million to help feed hungry Calgarians.

"The generosity of Calgarians never ceases to amaze us. Volunteerism is up at the Food Bank so we know we have a very caring city," James McAra, CEO of the Calgary Food Bank told the Calgary Eyeopener during Tuesday's announcement.

"But this is absolutely amazing."

Each year the goal is to raise $1 million for the Calgary Food Bank, which was surpassed this year at $1,403,292 in donations, including 34,839 kg of food. 

The campaign worked hard at getting the message out to the public by incorporating over 20 events in 18 days, which included station tours and live remote broadcasts of the Homestretch and Calgary Eyeopener radio programs.

Some other popular events were the Old School Bake Sale, Puppy Paw-looza and Amble with Angus.

"Everyone's running off their feet all month and giving it all they've got, all for a good cause," said CBC Calgary communications manager Alisha Edgelow.

"Last year we were at $1.3 million and the year before that it was $1.45 million, so we're a very giving city."

Out of the $1,403,292, the largest campaign donation was $253,003 by YYC Tech Gives, a consortium of tech companies in Calgary that come together to support the local community.

McAra adds that this year he saw a range of people come into the food bank eager to help, and that one Calgarian said this was their 30th time donating to the campaign.

"This makes a massive difference because after Christmas everyone goes 'OK, we're good,'" said McAra.

"Hunger doesn't take a break. It's something that happens year-round. This amount of money and the support that we received actually caries us four to six months depending on what the demand should be."