A Purolator delivery truck that spent years traversing Greater Sudbury streets has been retired from package delivery and repurposed to serve a vital community need. The vehicle is one of 16 trucks being retired across Canada as part of the company’s Tackle Hunger program, with the Sudbury unit remaining in the city to support local food bank operations. Donation comes as food bank faces increasing demand Ryan DuHaime, a representative from Purolator, spoke about the truck’s legacy and the company’s commitment to food security initiatives. “The truck has done well for us in what we do for delivering,” he said. “With us being passionate about helping the food banks, it’s great to see that we’re able to once again donate a truck from our facility that still has some life left, that can provide some support to the food bank.” Purolator officially transferred ownership by changing the license plates and handing the keys to Natalie Labbée, the Sudbury Food Bank’s executive director. Truck arrives after food bank vehicle breakdown Labbée expressed gratitude for the donation and emphasized the strategic importance of the vehicle for the organization’s daily operations. “I think that this truck and the broader vision is going to be used to enhance what we’re able to do to meet that need, and we’re really excited, and we’re really proud,” she said. “There’s only one of 16 trucks across Canada, and we were very fortunate to get one here in Sudbury.” The timing of the donation proved particularly significant, as the food bank experienced a mechanical failure with one of its existing trucks just last week. That vehicle required repairs in southern Ontario, leaving a gap in the organization’s transportation capacity. Labbée told CTV News the donated truck would help maintain their fleet reliability. Food bank diverts food from landfills The Sudbury Food Bank relies heavily on its fleet to collect food from 16 grocery partners throughout the city, preventing edible items from ending up in landfills while simultaneously supporting those in need. “We’ve got deliveries coming in from all of our we have about 16 grocery partners across the city that we’re getting, you know, reclaimed food that’s not going to the landfill,” said Labbée. “It’s important for us not just to distribute the food to the food banks, but also the food that’s coming into the food bank and keep that flowing.” Working poor represent majority of new food bank users The food bank has documented a substantial increase in demand during the first quarter of this year, with 579 new users seeking assistance. Labbée noted the changing demographics of those accessing services. “We also know from all of our statistics that the majority of people who are using our food banks now are working poor, they’re facing food insecurity,” she said. “How are they able to leave their second job or their main job during the day to access a food bank in their area? If it’s only open for a two-hour window during the day.” In addition to the corporate donation, Purolator employees personally contributed more than 200 pounds of food and approximately $145 to support the Sudbury Food Bank.
