Trucking companies and sponsors affiliated with the Trucks for Change (T4C) network joined forces last week to assemble nutritious food packs as part of Food Banks Canada’s annual After the Bell (ATB) program.<\/p>\n
The initiative aims to address child hunger during the summer months when in-school nutrition programs are unavailable. With the collective efforts of T4C supporters along with carriers accustomed to transporting ATB food packs each May and June, over 50 enthusiastic volunteers participated in the event held at Mississauga’s International Centre.<\/p>\n
T4C\u2019s carrier network has helped to deliver nearly 450,000 food packs to more than communities since 2020, and is poised again to deliver 185,000 lbs. of child-friendly and healthy summer packs to food banks across Canada in 2023.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs an\u00a0After the Bell\u00a0partner, Trucks for Change is pleased to have been invited to participate in the ATB Volunteer Packing event,\u201d said T4C chair, Scott Smith. \u201cNot only did we help build and box food packs, but we were able to provide a little trucking expertise when it came to preparing the food packs and pallets for shipping.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter having supported this program for several years from a freight-movement perspective, I think that the companies and their volunteers really appreciated being part of the effort that goes into preparing the food packs,\u201d said the network\u2019s executive director, Betsy Sharples, noting that a \u201cbit of friendly competition between the packing stations added to the fun.\u201c<\/p>\n
Starting this week,\u00a0Trucks for Change\u00a0will coordinate transportation services through its network of \u201cgenerous and community-minded carriers.\u201d They will deliver nearly 350 pallets to 90 food banks across Canada.<\/p>\n
Sharples expressed her gratitude, stating, \u00ab\u00a0Once again, carriers have generously and eagerly stepped up to support food-insecure children in high-needs communities by participating in this year’s program.\u00a0\u00bb<\/p>\n
Over 25 carriers from across Canada have committed to delivering ATB food packs this year.<\/p>\n
The T4C ATB Packing team consisted of volunteers from the following organizations:<\/p>\n
| Bison Transport<\/td>\n | Bridgestone Canada<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Erb Group of Companies<\/td>\n | GX Transportation Solutions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| J.D. Smith and Sons<\/td>\n | Kriska Transportation Group<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| National Truck League<\/td>\n | Navistar Canada<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| The Tandet Group<\/td>\n | Transcourt Inc.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| XTL Transport<\/td>\n | <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\n |