Wondering what to do with the Loblaw Gift Card in your mail? Since Loblaws announced their gift card program for price fixing, generous Canadians have been sweeping social media with messages to donate the $25 cards to their local food banks and those in need. Since then, there has been some confusion about the best method of utilizing the cards for the most bang for your buck. Here are some options we thought of for you:
1) DONATE IT! Here at Eden, we can utilize the gift cards by using them all together and getting the most out of every cent. The cards would go towards items carried at Loblaws that match our current Needs List and items in our Food Bank that are running low. It will also go towards personal items that are high in demand such as shampoo and toothpaste. Furthermore, we can also use it for our kitchen program which often cooks large batches of food and gives out over 500 portions of hot food to our clients.
2) Keep the card; donate the $25 cash to Eden. A little goes a long way, and when combined, the amount can go an even longer way! Cash gifts to us can go farther in purchasing and circulation. Did you know that for every $10 donated, we can distribute $50 worth of food from buying in bulk? And for every $25 we can provide 50 meals for those in need. The amount is also tax deductible for you with a Charitable Tax Receipt. Not to mention paying for our usual overhead costs (things like rent, electricity, staff, etc.) to keep us running and serving our members.
3) Go shopping for us! Check out our March needs list and use your gift card towards purchasing items like laundry detergent, Enfamil formula and personal need items. Bring a friend! Throw a shopping party! Collect gift cards from your network and start a food drive. Be as creative as you can. If you collect over 300 lbs of food, we can send our truck for a pick up.
We are so grateful to receive any and all donations that will go directly to our Food Bank members and programs. Thank you for always keeping us and your community in mind. If you have any other creative ideas for how to utilize the gift card program, please let us know!