The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Lodge #2 are challenging Victoria-area businesses and individuals to show their “Tonne of Love”, making the holiday season a little better for local families this year.
Donations through the Tonne of Love Challenge to The Mustard Seed Food Bank will provide fresh, healthy food for families, couples and individuals. Country Grocer has already matched the first $3,000 donated and will provide the rest of the food purchased at cost so contributions will have a greater impact.
A donation of $500 will provide fresh food for about 10 families (approx. 40 people) or one family could help another with a donation of $50. These families typically have two children with a single or co-parent relationship.
Starting five years ago, with a few Odd Fellows collecting two thousand pounds of nonperishable food for the Mustard Seed at Christmas, has grown to become a moving truck full of fresh food for every family hamper registered with the food bank last year – helping almost 300 local families. This year can be even better.
Tammy Averill, Country Grocer Marketing Manager
This will be our second year teaming up with the Odd Fellows on the Tonne of Love campaign.Last year it was so great to be able to provide fresh food to the Mustard Seed and we’re looking forward to that again this year. The Odd Fellows are a very hardworking, caring team and we’re fortunate to have this relationship.
To donate, cheques can be made out to “The Mustard Seed” with the memo: “Tonne of Love” and dropped off at the Mustard Seed. If that’s not possible, Odd Fellow members Jason Sikora or Jason Miller can be contacted for pick up. One hundred per cent of your contribution will be used for fresh food for families. Mustard Seed will send out charitable donation tax receipts in the first few months of 2015. For your reference: REGISTERED CHARITY # 11924 6213 RR0001.
Josh Miller, IOOF lead for the charitable campaign We need your help. The Tonne of Love Food Challenge is about feeding people in our home town and we can’t do it with out you. This kind of food, that’s fresh and healthy, can really make a different in people’s lives. Thanks to Country Grocer for their continued support.
BACKGROUND
The Tonne of Love Food Challenge is an initiative to provide fresh food to the Mustard Seed Food Bank. Over the last four years, with the help of individuals and organizations, the Odd Fellows have raised more than 12 tonnes of food, typically including fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, cheeses and treats that compliment the food the Mustard Seed already has sourced.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows are a worldwide service-oriented brotherhood and sisterhood dedicated to the principle of universal fraternity promoting the belief that all men and women, regardless of nationality, race, social status, religion, rank and station, are brothers and sisters; improving and elevating the character of mankind by practicing the principles of fraternal friendship, charitable love and the pursuit of truth, and helping making the world a better place to live by organizing charitable activities that would benefit the less fortunate children and elderly, the community and the environment in every way possible.
-30-
Media Contact:
Josh Miller
IOOF Lodge #2
[email protected]
250-881-5674
Jason Sikora
IOOF Lodge #2
[email protected]
250-812-3696