OLDS — Residents and staff in the Seasons Olds and Seasons Olds Encore retirement facilities donated 370 cans to Mountain View Food Bank Society during their annual One Can Make a Difference campaign.
That’s up from last year, when about 281 cans were collected.
The campaign, held from July 3 to 14, was part of a company-wide challenge to collect the most canned and non-perishable food items for a local food bank.
Seasons Retirement Communities operates 15 retirement residences across Ontario, Alberta and B.C.
This year, company-wide, participants collected 8,527 cans, beating the goal of 8,000.
Also, a combined total of $50,400 was donated to food bank partners.
“This initiative highlights the compassionate spirit at the heart of Seasons Olds Encore. We work together to make a meaningful difference amid growing food insecurity and help the local community,” Kirsten Mortenson, general manager of Seasons Encore is quoted as saying in a news release.
“We’re incredibly proud of our residents’ generosity and dedication throughout this year’s challenge.”
Seasons Olds general manager Liberty Poon echoed that thought.
“The dedication our residents and team members have shown during this year’s One Can Make a Difference challenge is truly inspiring, especially at a time when so many Canadians are affected by food insecurity,” she’s quoted as saying.
From 2021 to 2024, thousands of food banks across Canada have seen a 50 per cent increase in visits. In 2024, there were more than two million visits to food banks in Canada, the highest number in history.
Seasons Retirement Communities has partnered with local food banks since 2016.
So far, the company has donated more than $350,000 in funds and food to local food banks.
