TORONTO, Ont. – The Canadian Association of Food Banks (CAFB) took the opportunity to extend thanks to the trucking industry at Truck World 2002.

Food bank shelves coast-to-coast are stocked because of the generosity of shipping donors in the transportation industry. Charles Seiden, executive director for CAFB, says the transportation supporters are the unsung heroes in the fight against hunger in Canada.

In 2001 the transportation industry donated enough kilometres to circle the earth six times, and so far in 2002, the number of kilometres donated by the transportation community would circle the earth nearly five times.

Sue Cox, executive director for Daily Bread Food Banks in Toronto, says the help from the trucking companies is a real blessing.

“I know the food is going to get to where it needs to go, because the truckers are going to take it there,” she says.

David Bradley, president of the Ontario Trucking Association and CEO of the Canadian Trucking Alliance, was on hand to accept the gratitude from the CAFB.

“When the CAFB calls, no matter how busy we are, we stop and find trucks and drivers to help out,” says Bradley. “It is such a super feeling to do what you do best and put it towards a higher cause.”

For more information about the CAFB or to find out how to donate trucks for this endeavor contact Charles Seiden of the CAFB at 416-203-9241 or Rebecka Torn of the Ontario Trucking Association at 416-249-7401 ext. 224.