History

The annual food drive began in 1997 as a community initiative by the students of Bruce Middle School in Winnipeg. A group of grade 6 students identified Harvest’s food shortages in the winter months as a problem and decided a partial solution would be to encourage their own student body to donate food, and to challenge other middle schools in their St. James school division to do so as well.

Manitoba Public Insurance’s involvement began in 2000. The Corporation provides logistical support and organizes an internal corporate food drive. Peak of the Market also came on board at that time, providing vegetable produce. Since 2001 Peak of the Market has generously increased their contribution by matching, pound-for-pound, the aggregate weight from all the schools and Manitoba Public Insurance’s staff donations.

In 2011 Manitoba Public Insurance and 71 schools, mostly from Louis Riel and Pembina Trails School Divisions, generated 57,124 pounds of donated food. Peak of the Market and Canada Safeway matched that with vegetable produce, and non-perishable items, pound for pound, for a grand total of 171,372 pounds.

The Manitoba Teachers' Society began their participation in 2007 by encouraging teachers throughout the province to organize their students and raise donations for Harvest and regional food banks.

Canada Safeway is on board again for 2012, generously matching donated food - pound for pound - with canned and other food.

To register for the 2012 Operation Donation Food Drive, contact Charlene Sinclair, Development Associate, at Winnipeg Harvest by filling out and submitting the online registration form.