Kraft Heinz Foodservice Makes Major Donation in Kirkland Lake 

A 10,000-pound donation from Kraft Heinz Foodservice Canada has filled Salvation Army Food bank shelves in Kirkland Lake, Timmins and New Liskeard.

Our mission partners came together to bring the massive donation to the community to assist residents and food bank clients with food needs over the Christmas season. Town of Kirkland Lake firefighter Jeremy Alldred-Hughes wanted to do something to help meet the increasing demand on food banks, so he started making calls.

Jeremy’s first call was coincidently to a former Kirkland Lake resident who put him in touch with Kraft Heinz Foodservice. The company said that if Jeremy could bring a truck, they would fill it with as much food as it could carry. Lewis Motors in North Bay donated the use of the truck and the Town of Kirkland Lake paid for the fuel.

Jeremy hit the road for the long drive to Milton to pick up the pallets of peanut butter and Kraft dinner and Kleenex donated by Kimberly-Clark.

“Everybody kind of came together to do this which is incredible. It has been a hard year and a difficult Christmas for many. We have seen such an increase in need of assistance from the food bank,” said Jake Moore, Director of Community and Family Services at The Salvation Army Kirkland Lake.

Volunteers helped to unload the truckload of food, and the truck received an escort by the Ontario Provincial Police, local firefighters, and paramedics.

Jake said the donation helps to ensure that Kirkland Lake’s 135 food bank clients across the region will be able to keep food on the table, at a time when there is an increased demand, amid rising food costs and inflation. A recent Salvation Army survey indicates that 59 per cent of Canadians who had recently visited a food bank were first time users.

“It’s all about community helping community and people helping people here in Kirkland Lake. This is so uplifting and encouraging,” Jake says.

The Salvation Army is grateful for the support of Kirkland Lake Mayor Stacy Wight and members of the Town Council who helped with the unloading.

“We are so appreciative of your help and support! I am so excited to continue moving forward, working alongside all of you, providing hope and a way forward to those in need within our community,” Jake says.

The Salvation Army Kirkland Lake Community and Family Services Food Bank is open for clients from Tuesday to Friday from 9-4.