October 12, 2023
(Thursday, October 12, 2023, Regina, SK) – Today, the Regina Food Bank, in partnership with the Mosaic Company, launched the Mosaic
Million Meal Challenge, a month-long, citywide campaign to collect food donations and raise funds. In times of record food insecurity, the Regina Food Bank has seen an average increase in requests for services of 40% year-over-year from 2019 numbers.
In 2022, the Food Bank delivered over 170,000 points of service and this year, it is on track to distribute over 4 million pounds of food by the end of this year. This increase in need along with rising prices is also adding pressure to the Regina Food Bank operations, as they predict to spend approximately $1.2 Million in purchasing food required to meet demand, illustrating the need for donations.
“What an impactful way to launch the Mosaic Million Meal Challenge”, says Mosaic’s Director of Government & Public Affairs, Marnel Jones. “Visually demonstrating the need in our community puts the challenge into perspective. Our partnership with the Regina Food Bank is an extension of our noble mission to help the world grow the food it needs.”
Building on a “We CAN” theme, the campaign is kicking-off with an attempt to break the World Record for the Largest Canned Food Image display and calling for businesses, students and families of Regina, to get involved in the fight against hunger. The can art display is an awareness piece that will utilize 7,000 cans representing the number of cans the Regina Food Bank delivers each week. The organization is encouraging everyone to get creative, as gifts large and small are required to secure a million meals!
“"The Mosaic Million Meal Challenge is always one of the busiest and most exciting months of the year for the Regina Food Bank” states John Bailey, CEO of the Regina Food Bank. “We would like to sincerely thank the Mosaic Company for their unwavering support. Together, we're proving that 'We CAN Do It!' as we work tirelessly towards raising 1 million meals. This will put a huge dent in our goal to provide 5 million meals this year.”
The Mosaic Million Meal Challenge runs from October 12th to November 4th, and this year the approach is to empower others to rally behind the campaign by providing them with the tools to donate, raise funds and raise awareness. The campaign wraps up with the annual Stuff the Bus food drive event on November 4, 2023 to allow the community to donate food and funds at Sherwood Co-op.