Calgary Stampeders fans have once again answered the call, donating 72,391 lbs. of food as part of the 2016 edition of the Tackle Hunger program in support of the Calgary Food Bank.

The food collected at the Oct. 21 home game against the Toronto Argonauts represents an increase of more than 4,000 lbs. compared to the 2015 amount and brings the Calgary total to almost one million pounds – 980,764, to be exact – since 2003.

“Thanks to all our awesome fans for being so generous again this year,” said defensive lineman Charleston Hughes, the Stampeders’ player rep for Tackle Hunger. “The food collected will make a huge difference for so many families in need.”

Fans making donations were entered into a draw for great prizes including an autographed Hughes jersey and the chance to toss the coin prior to last week’s game. Fans also had the opportunity to pose for photos with the Grey Cup.

Stampeders players and personnel will be visiting the Food Bank in the near future to help sort all the food that was collected as part of this year’s program.

About the Calgary Food Bank

The Calgary Food Bank is a charitable organization dedicated to gathering and distributing quality emergency food to Calgarians and the agencies that serve them. The Calgary Food Bank is neither a government nor a United Way agency. For more information, visit www.calgaryfoodbank.com

About Purolator’s commitment to hunger

As part of its commitment to helping alleviate hunger in the communities where it operates, Purolator Inc. works closely with its employees, partners, agents, customers and food banks across Canada to collect donations and help raise awareness about the issue of hunger in Canada. Since its inception in 2003, the Purolator Tackle Hunger program has helped deliver the equivalent of more than nine million pounds of food to food banks across Canada.