The Regina Food Bank, in partnership with the Mosaic Company, launched the Mosaic Million Meal Challenge earlier this week.
The month-long, citywide campaign aims to collect food donations and raise funds.
The campaign comes in a time of record food insecurity, as the Regina Food Bank has seen an average increase in requests for services of 40% year-over-year from 2019 numbers. That increase and rising prices have added pressure to the Food Bank’s operations as they predict they will need to spend $1.2 million in purchasing food required to meet the demand.
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.
To kick off the campaign, the Regina Food Bank is attempting to break the World Record for the Largest Canned Food Image display and calling for Regina’s businesses, students, and families 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.
Mosaic’s Director of Government & Public Affairs, Marnel Jones, said the art display is an impactful way to launch the challenge.
“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.”
The organization is encouraging everyone to get creative, as large and small gifts are required to secure a million meals!
John Bailey, CEO of the Regina Food Bank, said the campaign marks one of the busiest and most existing months of the year for the food bank,
“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 until November 4th, with the campaign wrapping up with the annual Stuff the Bus food drive event on November 4th to allow the community to donate food and funds at Sherwood Co-op.