Grand Theatre Audiences Raise $40,031 for the London Food Bank
“House to Home” donations bring five-year cumulative donation to $340,810
December 27, 2021 – London ON – The Grand Theatre is pleased to announce that its fifth annual fundraising campaign in support of the London Food Bank has raised $40,031. Billed this year as the “House to Home” program, the annual initiative partners the Grand Theatre with the Food Banks’ Business Cares program to help support those facing food insecurity in the city. Since launching in 2017, the campaign has raised a five-year cumulative total of $340,810 through donations made by Grand Theatre audiences, artists, volunteers and staff.
“The holiday season is a difficult time for many, and the pandemic has only exacerbated the challenges Londoners are facing,” says Grand Theatre Executive Director, Deb Harvey. “Every year, but especially in these uncertain times, we are proud to help support the London community through our ongoing partnership with the Food Bank.”
The “House to Home” fundraising drive took place during the run of Home for the Holidays. Following each performance, cast members asked audiences to consider making a monetary donation at the Teddy Bear Drop Boxes, with 100% of all proceeds directed to the Food Bank.
An integral part of the London community, on average the London Food Bank helps more than 3,500 families or about 8,500 individuals each month – approximately 40 per cent of those individuals being children.
Cast members noted that those numbers were enough to fill the ‘house’ of the Spriet Stage, ten time over – every month. From their seats in the house at the Grand to the homes of those in need in London, audiences responded with compassion.
These staggering numbers do not include the additional people assisted through outside programs and agencies. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic has also heightened the usage of food banks across the country, with those facing food insecurity flooding to their local banks.
“The London Food Bank is part of the life blood of our city and plays a crucial role in ensuring that our community gets the food they need, when they need it most. We are so inspired by the overwhelming generosity of our Grand community, who supported the ‘House to Home’ campaign and extend our gratitude to them for exemplifying what it means to be truly London Proud,” remarks Harvey.
London Food Bank Co-Executive Director Jane Roy is thrilled with the results of the “House to Home” campaign, noting: “The needs of our city, and people in crisis, can change on a weekly – sometimes daily – basis. Donations, like this incredible contribution from the Grand, allow us to respond to those needs rapidly and compassionately. We are grateful for the Grand Theatre’s patrons, cast, crew, and staff, who not only supported the work of the Food Bank this holiday season, but demonstrated the ‘grand’ difference that can be made through an inspired collective effort.”
About the Grand Theatre – World Curious. London Proud.
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Dennis Garnhum and Executive Director
Deb Harvey, the Grand is a leading cultural hub located in the heart of downtown London, Ontario. The Grand offers diverse, relevant, and original stories from around the globe through collaborations with national and international performing arts organizations and is committed to developing, producing, and premiering original stories through its COMPASS New Play Development program. The Grand supports educational programming through initiatives like the High School Project and Subsidized Student Matinees. The Grand finalized the $9.5 million renovation to its lobby spaces and backstage areas in Fall 2021. After the cancellation of its 2020-21 Season in June 2020 due to the global pandemic, the Grand officially reopened its doors in November 2021.
About Business Cares
The Business Cares Food Drive is a volunteer-driven initiative that believes in the credo that ‘taking care of business means taking care of people.’ This initiative brings together London’s corporate community in a coordinated effort to raise donations for the London Food Bank and the organizations it supports.
For more information please contact:
Caitlin Core, Communications Manager
ccore [at] grandtheatre.com (ccore[at]grandtheatre[dot]com)
519-672-9030 ext. 411
