Drive away hunger tour launches

North Battleford, Saskatchewan, October 17, 2005 – Paul Lepage is taking his message about hunger on the road. Launched today, the Drive Away Hunger tour will roll through several communities in Saskatchewan over a period of five days in support of World Food Day. 

Lepage, an Farm Credit Canada (FCC) Account Manager, will drive a tractor and flatbed trailer full of food donations collected on his winding route from North Battleford through Maymont, Radisson, Borden, Langham, Dalmeny, Hepburn, Waldheim, Duck Lake, Rosthern, Hague, Aberdeen, Osler, Warman, Martensville and ending on Friday, October 21 at the Saskatoon FCC Office. During the tour, he’ll spend the majority of his days living on the tractor as he picks up food donations from local businesses and community partners. Lepage hopes to collect over 20,000 dollars or pounds of food for local food banks.

In addition, FCC is donating $25,000 to the Canadian Association of Food Banks that will support the National Food Sharing System (NFSS). The NFSS ensures equitable distribution of food among member food banks across Canada.

“Hunger is something that isn’t exclusive to urban areas,” Lepage says. “Many rural communities and families use the services offered by a food bank. This is a way for me and rural Canadians to give back to our neighbours, friends and customers.”

“It’s a perfect fit,” Clem Samson, FCC Vice President Prairie Operations says. “Our community investments are directed towards organizations that matter to our employees and customers. Paul’s involvement in this Drive Away Hunger tour is a great example of the caring people that work for FCC.”

World Food Day is observed on October 16 each year to raise awareness of the world food problem and motivate the public to address the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty. The first FCC Drive Away Hunger tour took place last year in Ontario and was very successful. Besides the Saskatoon tour, there is one planned in eastern Canada for communities in New Brunswick as well as 20 other FCC activities planned across Canada for World Food Day.

Operating out of 100 offices located primarily in rural Canada, FCC employees are passionate about the business of agriculture. FCC's healthy portfolio of more than $11 billion and 12 consecutive years of portfolio growth are a reflection of our customers' success.

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For more information, please contact:
 
Paul Lepage
Farm Credit Canada (English)
Account Manager
(306) 975-4248

Tim Kydd
Farm Credit Canada (English)
Manager External Communication
(306) 780-3486

Mireille Bilodeau VongPhit
Farm Credit Canada (Bilingual)
Communication Consultant
(306) 780-8572