Trucks for Change delivers over 100,000 food packs to support kids during summer

Trucks for Change Network (T4C) has completed a two-month national effort that saw 31 fleets deliver 101,640 food packs to 73 food banks across Canada, supporting Food Banks Canada’s After The Bell program aimed at addressing child food insecurity during the summer.

The deliveries, which began after school meal programs paused for the season, ensured 12,705 children each week received nutritious, kid-friendly food. The packs reached 235 communities from coast to coast, according to Food Banks Canada.

People packing food from boxes into bags — (Photo: T4C)

“Once again, our industry stepped up in a big way,” said Betsy Sharples, executive director of Trucks for Change, in a news release. “The trucking sector is uniquely positioned to support this important initiative. Not only did our volunteers help assemble food packs and palletize them for shipping, but our network of fleets reaches virtually every food bank that’s accessible by road.”

Food Banks Canada’s CEO Kirstin Beardsley added, “Thanks to the incredible support of partners like Trucks for Change, a total of 215,000 food packs will reach kids from coast to coast. With nearly 700,000 visits to food banks this month coming from children, the need for us to work together to ensure children have access to the food they need to keep their bodies growing healthy and strong is more important than ever.”

In addition to transportation support, T4C-affiliated organizations contributed hands-on volunteer time. In May, more than 70 volunteers from 12 partner fleets assembled and palletized 4,200 food packs in two hours.

Guy Broderick with boxes on the pallet in a sorting facility — (Photo: T4C)

This marks the seventh year of partnership between T4C and Food Banks Canada on the After The Bell initiative, which operates throughout July and August.

Participating carriers in the 2025 campaign included: