SMITHS FALLS — The annual Build a Mountain of Food campaign begins Nov. 8, with volunteers collecting food and cash donations outside grocery stores across 11 local communities.
The campaign supports food banks in Almonte, Carleton Place, Perth, Lanark, Smiths Falls, Westport, Elgin, Portland, Merrickville, Athens and Delta. All donations stay in the community where they are collected.
Last year, the campaign brought in 180,763 lbs of food and $324,281.25 for local food banks. Over the past 18 years, this campaign has collected 2,494,651 lbs. of food and $2,366,951.04 in cash donations.
Chris Craig, owner of RCL Automotive and the campaign’s title sponsor, said the need continues to grow.
“Every year we say this might be the tough year,” Craig said. “Living costs are up. Food prices are up. But the community always pulls through.”
Craig said the campaign succeeds because it is rooted in community leadership.
“It is not us running anything. We just organize the stops and make sure each food bank has volunteers to cover the day,” he said. “The volunteers and the food banks are the ones who make it happen.”
Craig added that the generosity of community partners makes the logistics possible. Hinton Auto Group supplies vans for the campaign and covers fuel costs.
“They supply the vans and they fill the tanks,” Craig said. “They have also donated $50,000 over the past few years. That support is huge.”
While some communities have expressed interest in joining the campaign, logistics remain a challenge.
“We get requests from other places every year,” Craig said. “But if a community does not have a grocery store, we have to figure out where to set up and whether we have enough volunteers. It has to work for everyone.”
As the campaign heads into its 18th year, Craig remains optimistic. “People wait for this,” he said. “They know when Build a Mountain comes around and they want to be part of it.”
2025 Food Blitz dates and locations
Saturday, Nov. 8
Almonte
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Jonsson’s Your Independent Grocer
In support of the Lanark County Food Bank (The Hunger Stop)
Carleton Place
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Anderson’s Your Independent Grocer, FreshCo, and Giant Tiger
In support of the Lanark County Food Bank (The Hunger Stop)
Saturday, Nov. 15
Perth
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Metro Perth, Barnabe’s Your Independent Grocer, Foodsmiths, and Giant Tiger
In support of the Perth Good Food Bank
Lanark
9 a.m. to 12 p.m., St. Andrew’s United Church
In support of the Lanark Highlands Food Pantry
Saturday, Nov. 22
Smiths Falls
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Jonsson’s Your Independent Grocer, Food Basics, The Garden Market, and Giant Tiger
In support of the Smiths Falls Community Food Bank
Saturday, Nov. 29
Elgin
9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Gordanier Freshmart
In support of the Elgin Food Bank
Westport
12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Kudrinko’s
In support of the Westport Food Bank
Saturday, Dec. 6
Portland
9 a.m. to 12 p.m., LCBO and RBC
In support of the Portland Food Bank
Merrickville
1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Merrickville Food Market
In support of the Merrickville Lions Club Christmas Food Hamper Campaign
Saturday, Dec. 13
Athens
9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Athens Fresh Market
In support of the Athens Food Bank
Delta
1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Delta Country Market
In support of the Delta Food Bank
UPDATE: Build a Mountain of Food first blitz collects 6,254 lbs of food, $5,172 for The Hunger Stop
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