Londoners pitch in for Business Cares grocery store weekend food drive

Scenes from Business Cares Food Drive grocery store weekend at Food Basics Wonderland Road South. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London)

It’s all hands on deck this weekend for the Business Cares Food Drive in support of the London Food Bank.

Teams of volunteers from local businesses fanned out across 45 grocery stores in the London area Saturday for day one of the two-day annual holiday campaign.

At the Bell Media location, Food Basics on Wonderland Road South, on-air personalities, staff, family and supporters from CTV London and Virgin and Pure Country Radio are on hand to greet customers and accept donations.

CTV London Meteorologist and Food Drive captain Julie Atchison says it’s the time of year when many families can use a little extra help.

“This is going to fill the shelves at the food bank for months. So when you think about the families using the food bank, a lot of people coming in for the very first time for the holidays, and not being able to afford food for their children,” said Atchison.

She added that about 40 per cent of the people who use the London Food Bank are children.

“So when you think about that, it really sticks with you,” she said.

And there are a number of ways to contribute beyond just food donations, said Atchison.

“We take it all, we do cheques, visa, debit. We’ll take every way you want to give. And every can makes a difference. So one can means just as much as one hundred dollars. Each donation really makes an impact,” said Atchison.

Speaking on CTV News, Business Cares Chair, Wayne Dunn said this weekend is crucial to helping out those in need.

“This weekend is so important for us. It sets the stage and the tone for the whole campaign. There’s not a grocery store in the area that we aren’t in. And we couldn’t do it without the volunteers,” he said.

Dunn said one thousand volunteers are helping out with grocery store weekend.