May 8, 2013
Check against delivery
Greetings, everyone.
Thanks for joining us this morning.
I'm very proud to be here as we launch Farm Credit Canada's 10th Drive Away Hunger Campaign.
This campaign not only helps feed families in need across Canada, but also reflects the generosity and community spirit of Canadian farmers and processors and the agriculture sector as a whole.
On behalf of Prime Minister Harper and the Government of Canada, I'd like to thank the volunteers and staff at this food bank and Food Banks Canada for the great work you do for Canadian families.
Food Banks Canada brings together groups like Farm Credit Canada and others across Canada to serve families. You are a strong and unwavering voice for those in our communities who struggle to make ends meet.
I'd also like to thank the employees of Farm Credit Canada for your commitment to the Drive Away Hunger Campaign. This unique food drive concept focuses on reducing hunger in rural Canada.
It's been 10 years since an FCC employee in Ontario drove an open-cab tractor and trailer through the Listowel area for eight days, camping and collecting donations and food. That tour raised almost 60 thousand pounds of food.
Inspired by these efforts, FCC's Drive Away Hunger program still involves driving a tractor and trailer through various communities to collect food and cash donations for food banks across the country.
One hundred per cent of donations go to Canadian food banks like this one.
Today, I'm very proud to say that over the past decade the campaign has raised close to 10 million pounds of food donations.
But, of course, we're not stopping there. This year Farm Credit Canada has set its highest goal ever - to collect five million pounds of food by October 18.
We're building on the momentum started a decade ago, and one that continues to grow stronger with each campaign.
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm happy to see FCC and the agriculture community continue to demonstrate leadership through the Drive Away Hunger program.
I am proud of the enormous generosity of Canadians, particularly our farmers, processors and grocers, who donate high-quality food products to food banks in communities across the country.
As Canadians we have much to be thankful for.
I invite everyone to give generously this year, and wish Farm Credit Canada all the best in your 2013 campaign.
