Elks, Purolator sort food donations for their Tackle Hunger campaign
Posted July 3, 2025 5:04 pm.
Last Updated July 3, 2025 6:39 pm.
Instead of sorting mail and packages, hundreds and thousands of food donations are being sorted at Edmonton’s Food Bank by Purolator with their Tackle Hunger campaign in partnership with the Edmonton Elks, all part of their mission to address hunger in the city.
The food bank says this is needed with an increase in people needing food year-round. Saying they need these drives as donations, otherwise fall in the summer.
“Last year, we thought it was bad. Our average was about 41,000 people a month through the hamper programs alone. Right now, we’re sitting at close to 43,000 people a month for the hamper programs. So our numbers keep going up,” said Tamisan Bencz-Knight, with the Edmonton Food Bank.
The campaign started as a fan food drive by Edmonton’s football club until Purolator took over in 2003 and expanded it nationwide with a partnership with CFL team, including the Elks.
“I guess you could say it’s part of our values now. We’ve been in partnership with Food Bank as well as the CFL since 2003, so that to me is I’m very proud of that key piece, and a lot of our employees can say likewise,” said Scott Jacobs, with the driver development program at Purolator.
Purolator and the Elks had a small, friendly competition on who would get the football first as part of their campaign. The food drive will be held ahead of the Elks game this Sunday.
“It’s bigger than just a game obviously the Edmonton Elks are part of the community, and it feels amazing. It feels nothing short of amazing, really, that you could help somebody in their day-to-day life,” said Robbie Smith, a defensive lineman with the Elks.
