SUDBURY, December 14, 2022 – Today the 2022 Edgar Burton Christmas Food Drive wrapped up its 35^th anniversary campaign in support of the Sudbury Food Bank with the generous help of the local community and businesses.

This year’s campaign ran from November through December and is expected to collect more than 115 tons of food. In addition, Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. and Vale have each donated $50,000 in support of the Food Bank.

“The Edgar Burton Christmas Food Drive is a great opportunity for Vale to contribute to the Sudbury Food Bank,” said Frank Demers, Head of Mines at Vale’s Ontario Operations. “We are proud to support this incredible campaign in any way we can."

Edgar Burton, a Vale Divisional Shops employee for 36 years, started the annual food drive 35 years ago in his workplace. The campaign grew to include businesses and schools across Sudbury and is now one of the largest per capita food drives in Canada. Today, Vale donates the time of one full-time and one part-time United Steel Worker (USW) Local 6500 employee for approximately two months to organize the initiative.

"United Steelworkers Local 6500 members are proud to be a part of this campaign and follow the example of generosity set by our member, the late Edgar Burton,” said Nick Larochelle, President of United Steelworkers, Local 6500 and Honorary Co-Chair of the Campaign. “It makes the difference in the lives of so many.”

The Sudbury Food Bank provides food to approximately 11,000 people every month through over 44 member agencies and outreach programs.

Before his passing in 2010, Edgar launched the Kids Helping Kids campaign to engage school children in the food drive and teach them about the importance of giving back.

“Thirty-five years ago, Edgar Burton saw a need in his community, and through his drive and generous spirit, he put his plan into action helping support our most vulnerable,” said Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre. “I encourage all Sudburians to give what they can, as we continue with this long-standing tradition of serving our community in memory of Edgar and his tireless efforts.”

Sudbury Food Bank executive director Dan Xilon said: "Sudbury Food Bank members include food banks, meal providers and specialty programs – all continue to see an increase in first-time users. In September of this year alone, the Sudbury Food Bank member agencies programs were accessed over 17,000 times, demonstrating that the need has never been greater.”

“The huge rise in food-bank use makes this year especially important to collect,” said campaign coordinator and co-chair Owen Marcotte. Co-chair Donna Mitchell added: “The generosity across our community is truly remarkable. We thank everyone for their contributions and the volunteers who make this annual food drive such a success.”

As one of the largest food drives in Canada, the Edgar Burton Christmas Food Drive is a source of community pride that helps thousands of families and individuals in need.

“It’s everyone working together that makes the Edgar Burton Christmas Food Drive so successful each year,” Food Bank President Mellaney Dahl said. “No one can feed everyone, but everyone can feed someone.”

For more information, please contact:

Dan Xilon
Executive Director    
Sudbury Food Bank
sudburyfoodbank@vianet.ca
705-671-9663

Jeffrey Lewis 
Media Relations
Vale Canada Limited 
jeffrey.lewis@vale.com
437 221 8158