Latest news with #KirstinBeardsley
Cision Canada
21-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Celebrating the 2025 Food Banks Canada Partner Awards
Honouring the organizations whose extraordinary commitments supporting the mission of relieving hunger today and preventing hunger tomorrow TORONTO, July 21, 2025 /CNW/ - In 2024, thanks to its valued partners and donors, Food Banks Canada was able to distribute millions of pounds of food across the country and invest millions of dollars in food banks and other community organizations serving people experiencing food insecurity. Food Banks Canada's Partner Awards program shines a spotlight on remarkable contributors to these collective achievements. The honorees were selected based on their total contributions in 2024, the significance of their impact, and their engagement with our mission of relieving hunger today and preventing hunger tomorrow. "At Food Banks Canada, our partners are the driving force behind everything we do," says Kirstin Beardsley, Chief Executive Officer Food Banks Canada. "Thanks to their unwavering support, we're able to deliver high-quality food to those facing hunger, strengthen the capacity of food banks across the country, and take meaningful steps toward addressing the root causes of food insecurity." Beardsley adds, "The recipients of the 2024 Food Banks Canada Awards have gone above and beyond in their commitment to ending hunger in Canada. We're deeply grateful for their partnership and look forward to continuing this vital work together—raising the bar higher every year." Food Banks Canada is excited to celebrate the following award recipients: Product Partner of the Year To meet clients' needs and fill gaps in food donations, food banks are now buying more food than ever before. Kraft Heinz offers relief from that budgetary strain by providing a consistent supply of high-demand products, such as pasta sauce, and nutrient-rich products, such as peanut butter. In 2024, Kraft Heinz gifted almost two million pounds of newly produced food to food banks across Canada. It was delivered at regular intervals, meaning that food banks and the people they serve could count on these products. To organizations and families that face a great deal of uncertainty, the significance of a predictable supply of staple products is hard to overstate. Services In-Kind Partner of the Year In-kind services such as food transportation and warehousing are essential to Food Banks Canada as they work to distribute large-scale food donations throughout the national network of food banks. In 2024, Lineage Logistics played a vital role in the food supply chain by providing temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics solutions. Their ongoing partnership with Food Banks Canada provides the storage required to preserve and keep food before it reaches the people who need it most. Lineage Logistics also donates excess food in collaboration with their partners, further adding to their valuable contribution. Funding Partner of the Year Food bank use has almost doubled since 2019. Food Banks Canada relies on strong, long-term partnerships to help food banks grow their capacity and rise to this urgent challenge. In 2024, Walmart Canada renewed their partnership with Food Banks Canada to execute their annual Fight Hunger. Spark Change fundraising campaign, which directs millions of dollars to local food banks and supports Food Banks Canada's national mission each year. Walmart is also one of the founding partners of its Retail Food Program, which provides an ongoing stream of nutritious food donations from local stores. So far, through these programs and others, Walmart Canada has helped to bring the equivalent of over 200 million meals to our neighbours in need! Foundation Partner of the Year As the last line of defense against hunger, food banks should be accessible to each and every person who needs them. Yet, our research shows that there are millions of people in Canada facing barriers to access, such as a lack of transportation, opening hours that aren't compatible with their work schedules, or even stigma and shame. With financial support from the Rossy Foundation, Food Banks Canada's Access Grants empower food banks to break down barriers and increase access for all. The Rossy Foundation also supports our Capacity Boost grants, Northern Capacity Grants and Standards of Excellence Grants, all of which help food banks and community organizations to expand or upgrade their reach, infrastructure and services. These investments in Food Banks Canada's programs help equip food banks to meet the needs of both today and tomorrow. Growth Partner of the Year 7-Eleven Canada has been a dedicated partner to Food Banks Canada since 2013. Customers look forward to the annual Slurpee Name Your Price Day, during which they can pay any amount for a large Slurpee, with all proceeds supporting Food Banks Canada. This past year, 7-Eleven Canada more than doubled its significant annual donations with a round-up program, asking customers to support the food bank network by rounding up their purchase amount in support of Food Banks Canada. 7-Eleven Canada also collaborates with their vendors to add to their support and expand their partnership with Food Banks Canada year over year. New Partner of the Year Food Banks Canada is delighted to welcome Maple Lodge Farms as its new partner of the year. They've been enthusiastic and flexible, open to exploring new ideas to step up for our communities. Food Banks Canada was proud to be chosen as the primary beneficiary of Maple Lodge Farms' 2024 Tournament of Dreams golf fundraiser. In addition to $200,000 in proceeds, Maple Lodge Farms also donates their chicken product to food banks to support families and communities in need. These quality protein foods are extremely valuable to food banks, which aim to offer well-rounded nutrition to their clients. About Food Banks Canada Food Banks Canada is the leader in addressing food insecurity in Canada. Our mission is to provide national leadership to relieve hunger today and prevent hunger tomorrow in collaboration with the food bank network from coast to coast to coast. For over 40 years, food banks have been dedicated to helping people living in Canada with food insecurity. Over 5,500 food banks and community organizations come together to serve our most vulnerable neighbours, who – this year – made over 2 million visits to these organizations in one month alone, according to our HungerCount report. Since 2010, Food Banks Canada has shared over $1 billion in food supports and over $275 million in funding to help maximize collective impact and strengthen local capacity – while, backed by leading research, advocating for meaningful actions from governments to counter hunger and its root causes. Our vision is clear: create a Canada where no one goes hungry. Visit to learn more.
Cision Canada
23-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Food Banks Canada and Saputo join forces to tackle hunger from coast to coast to coast with a $450,000 commitment
TORONTO, June 23, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, Food Banks Canada is thrilled to announce that it has joined forces with Saputo, one of the top dairy producers in the world, to address hunger from coast to coast to coast. With a commitment totaling $450,000 over the next three years, Saputo will support Food Banks Canada's work and national mission, providing hope and relief for people facing food insecurity across the country. Through this partnership, Saputo will also contribute to Food Banks Canada's After the Bell program, which brings nutritious, kid-friendly food packs to children during the summer months, ensuring they get what they need to stay healthy and strong when school-based meal programs are unavailable. Together, Saputo and Food Banks Canada are working towards a simple but urgent mission: building a future where no one in Canada goes hungry. "As a dairy processor, we believe we have a responsibility to tackle food insecurity and support our communities in growing stronger and more resilient," said Saputo's Haig Poutchigian, President and Chief Operating Officer, Dairy Division (Canada). "We're proud to partner with Food Banks Canada and to be part of a solution that helps address immediate needs while contributing to long-term change." Food insecurity has been on the rise in Canada. "The need for food banks in Canada has nearly doubled in only five years, to the point where they will receive over two million visits this month alone," says Kirstin Beardsley, Chief Executive Officer of Food Banks Canada. "More than ever, generous partners such as Saputo are critical to the well-being of our communities," Beardsley adds. "Each day for the next three years, their contribution will help ensure that parents can feed their kids, new Canadians can settle in, seniors can fill their cupboards, and struggling people can make ends meet. Our partners also empower us to advocate for changes and take on the root causes of food insecurity." Learn more about Food Banks Canada and how to lend your support at About Food Banks Canada Food Banks Canada is the leader in addressing food insecurity in Canada. Our mission is to provide national leadership to relieve hunger today and prevent hunger tomorrow in collaboration with the food bank network from coast to coast to coast. For over 40 years, food banks have been dedicated to helping people living in Canada with food insecurity. Over 5,500 food banks and community organizations come together to serve our most vulnerable neighbours, who – this year – made over 2 million visits to these organizations in one month alone, according to our HungerCount report. Since 2010, Food Banks Canada has shared over $829 million in food supports and over $245 million in funding to help maximize collective impact and strengthen local capacity – while, backed by leading research, advocating for meaningful actions from governments to counter hunger and its root causes. Our vision is clear: create a Canada where no one goes hungry. Visit to learn more. About Saputo: Saputo, one of the top ten dairy processors in the world, produces, markets, and distributes a wide array of dairy products of the utmost quality, including cheese, fluid milk, extended shelf-life milk and cream products, cultured products, and dairy ingredients. Saputo is a leading cheese manufacturer and fluid milk and cream processor in Canada, a leading dairy processor in Australia and the top dairy processor in Argentina. In the USA, Saputo ranks among the top three cheese producers and is one of the top producers of extended shelf-life and cultured dairy products. In the United Kingdom, Saputo is the leading manufacturer of branded cheese and dairy spreads. In addition to its dairy portfolio, Saputo produces, markets, and distributes a range of dairy alternative products. Saputo products are sold in several countries under market-leading brands, as well as private label brands. Saputo Inc. is a publicly traded company and its shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "SAP". Follow Saputo's activities at or via Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
CTV News
18-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
First-of-its-kind food insecurity summit in Montreal looks for long-term solutions
At the On Rock Community Services food bank, staff struggle to fill shelves often. (Swidda Rassy/CTV News) Food insecurity is a crisis that is growing across Canada, and the first-ever food insecurity summit in Montreal focused on delivering real solutions. At the On Rock Community Services in Pierrefonds on the West Island, the stocks of food are low and barely keeping up with demand. 'We've never run out, but we have been in a place where we walk around with a bit of a worried face, wondering if we're going to make it this week,' said president Kim Reid. Reid said his food bank helps around 300 families in and around the borough, but every week, he sees new faces. 'One week we had 17 registrations,' he said. Limited supplies mean more 'Not This Week' signs go up regularly. Data from Food Banks Canada shows that more than 2 million people visit a food bank each month, which are numbers that have never been seen before. 'So the stat that really keeps me up at night is that 30 per cent of food banks ran out of food last year before they could meet their community's needs,' said Food Banks Canada CEO Kirstin Beardsley. At the Food Insecurity Summit, stakeholders from across the country gathered to find solutions, as food banks face the perfect storm of rising cost of living, lack of supplies and increased hunger. 'The rate that we're seeing the increase right now is going to be unsustainable in the long term,' said Philanthropy/Food Banks of Quebec director Veronique Beaulieu-Fowler. The goal of the summit is to cut food insecurity by half in the next five years. 'But we also need to look long-term at reducing the number of people who need food banks in the first place, and that's going to take government policy and government action,' said Beardsley. She added that a collective effort will be needed from governments, corporations, non-profits and individuals. At On Rock Community Services, the staff takes it a day at a time. 'It's another one of those up-and-down things where sometimes we're doing great and other times we're riding the ragged edge of disaster,' said Reid.
National Post
16-06-2025
- Health
- National Post
Subway® Canada's week-long Never Miss Lunch campaign asks Canadians to turn Cookies into Care
Article content Starting today to June 22, Canadians can support Never Miss Lunch by purchasing a Subway cookie benefiting Food Banks Canada.* Article content TORONTO — Subway Canada's annual Never Miss Lunch charitable campaign starts today, supporting children nationwide who are experiencing food insecurity. From now until June 22, every cookie purchased helps Food Banks Canada fill food packs with nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables and dairy products, benefitting children in over 235 communities. Article content 'No child should have to face the stress and uncertainty of hunger—especially during the summer months, when access to fresh food becomes more difficult for families,' says Kirstin Beardsley, CEO of Food Banks Canada. 'Thanks to dedicated partners like Subway, we can bridge that critical gap by providing access to nutritious and fresh foods for children throughout the country all summer long. Together, we're not only giving children food for fuel, we are also nurturing their potential and hope for a brighter future.' Article content Now in its sixth year, the Subway Canada Never Miss Lunch program is proud to support Food Banks Canada, where donations will help distribute 215,000 food packs to children across hundreds of communities this summer. Since 2019, Subway Canada's Never Miss Lunch campaign has contributed to filling over one million nutritious food packs for children. As the exclusive Fresh Food Sponsor, Subway Canada plays a key role in ensuring that every pack includes not just shelf-stable items, but real, fresh food to fuel kids' bodies and minds. Article content 'At Subway, we know that providing children with fresh, healthy food options and nourishing young minds and bodies is the first step towards giving kids the foundation to excel,' says Courtney Hindorff, Managing Director at Subway Canada. 'No child should have to start their day worried about where their next meal is coming from. With Never Miss Lunch, we're harnessing the power of community to put healthy, fresh foods within reach for kids—because supporting healthy futures starts with healthy, fresh meals.' Article content Childhood food insecurity remains a pressing concern nationwide. According to Statistics Canada's most recent Canadian Income Survey, nearly 33% of all Canadian children under 18 live in households that struggle to afford enough food, amounting to approximately 2.5 million children facing hunger at home. Article content * Article content ® Article content will donate the equivalent of the average estimated net proceeds per cookie sold June 16-22, 2025 to Food Banks Canada. Guaranteed min. donation: $765K CAD for 2025. Article content About Subway ® Restaurants Article content With nearly 3,000 locations nationwide, Subway Canada is dedicated to serving freshly made sandwiches at great value to millions of guests. Subway restaurants are owned and operated by a network of dedicated Subway franchisees who are passionate about consistently delivering a high-quality, convenient guest experience and contributing positively to their local communities. Article content Subway ® is a globally registered trademark of Subway IP LLC or one of its affiliates. © 2025 Subway. Article content About Never Miss Lunch Article content The Never Miss Lunch program is Subway Article content ® Article content Canada's commitment to children in communities across the country. In partnership with Food Banks Canada's After the Bell program, the initiative aims to provide nutritious food to kids in need during the summer break, when many community-based lunch programs end. As the exclusive Fresh Food Sponsor, Subway Canada provides fresh fruits and vegetables for food packs, which helps to ensure the packs are balanced and nutritious. Now in its 6th year, Subway Article content Canada has helped Food Banks Canada deliver over one million food packs to hundreds of communities across Canada. Article content About Food Banks Canada Article content Food Banks Canada is the nation's leading force in the fight against hunger, advocating tirelessly for meaningful actions to counter food insecurity. With nearly 2 million visits to food banks monthly, on average, their mission is clear: to relieve hunger today and prevent it tomorrow. Collaborating with over 5,100 food banks and organizations nationwide, they invest in research, champion vital work, and work towards a Canada where no one goes hungry. Visit Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
Business Wire
16-06-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Subway ® Canada's week-long Never Miss Lunch campaign asks Canadians to turn Cookies into Care
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Subway Canada's annual Never Miss Lunch charitable campaign starts today, supporting children nationwide who are experiencing food insecurity. From now until June 22, every cookie purchased helps Food Banks Canada fill food packs with nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables and dairy products, benefitting children in over 235 communities. 'No child should have to face the stress and uncertainty of hunger—especially during the summer months, when access to fresh food becomes more difficult for families,' says Kirstin Beardsley, CEO of Food Banks Canada. 'Thanks to dedicated partners like Subway, we can bridge that critical gap by providing access to nutritious and fresh foods for children throughout the country all summer long. Together, we're not only giving children food for fuel, we are also nurturing their potential and hope for a brighter future.' Now in its sixth year, the Subway Canada Never Miss Lunch program is proud to support Food Banks Canada, where donations will help distribute 215,000 food packs to children across hundreds of communities this summer. Since 2019, Subway Canada's Never Miss Lunch campaign has contributed to filling over one million nutritious food packs for children. As the exclusive Fresh Food Sponsor, Subway Canada plays a key role in ensuring that every pack includes not just shelf-stable items, but real, fresh food to fuel kids' bodies and minds. 'At Subway, we know that providing children with fresh, healthy food options and nourishing young minds and bodies is the first step towards giving kids the foundation to excel,' says Courtney Hindorff, Managing Director at Subway Canada. 'No child should have to start their day worried about where their next meal is coming from. With Never Miss Lunch, we're harnessing the power of community to put healthy, fresh foods within reach for kids—because supporting healthy futures starts with healthy, fresh meals.' Childhood food insecurity remains a pressing concern nationwide. According to Statistics Canada's most recent Canadian Income Survey, nearly 33% of all Canadian children under 18 live in households that struggle to afford enough food, amounting to approximately 2.5 million children facing hunger at home. To learn more, visit or follow along at @SubwayCanada. To find your nearest Subway restaurant, see here. * Subway ® will donate the equivalent of the average estimated net proceeds per cookie sold June 16-22, 2025 to Food Banks Canada. Guaranteed min. donation: $765K CAD for 2025. About Subway ® Restaurants With nearly 3,000 locations nationwide, Subway Canada is dedicated to serving freshly made sandwiches at great value to millions of guests. Subway restaurants are owned and operated by a network of dedicated Subway franchisees who are passionate about consistently delivering a high-quality, convenient guest experience and contributing positively to their local communities. Subway ® is a globally registered trademark of Subway IP LLC or one of its affiliates. © 2025 Subway. About Never Miss Lunch The Never Miss Lunch program is Subway ® Canada's commitment to children in communities across the country. In partnership with Food Banks Canada's After the Bell program, the initiative aims to provide nutritious food to kids in need during the summer break, when many community-based lunch programs end. As the exclusive Fresh Food Sponsor, Subway Canada provides fresh fruits and vegetables for food packs, which helps to ensure the packs are balanced and nutritious. Now in its 6th year, Subway ® Canada has helped Food Banks Canada deliver over one million food packs to hundreds of communities across Canada. About Food Banks Canada Food Banks Canada is the nation's leading force in the fight against hunger, advocating tirelessly for meaningful actions to counter food insecurity. With nearly 2 million visits to food banks monthly, on average, their mission is clear: to relieve hunger today and prevent it tomorrow. Collaborating with over 5,100 food banks and organizations nationwide, they invest in research, champion vital work, and work towards a Canada where no one goes hungry. Visit to learn more.
