The RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food campaign wrapped up Saturday, Dec. 13, closing out six weeks on the road with final stops in Athens and Delta helping to load the shelves of 11 local food banks along the way.
Speaking from the road as they completed the final stop in Delta, campaign co-chairs Jim Wright and Chris Craig reflected on another strong year of community support for local food banks.
“It’s a wrap,” Wright said. “Six weeks on the road. We just finished up in Delta. Another very successful day on the trail.”
Earlier Saturday, the campaign stopped in Athens, where nearly 1,600 pounds of food and more than $3,000 in cash were collected for the Athens Food Bank. The final stop in Delta added approximately 2,800 pounds of food and close to $7,000 in cash for the Delta Food Bank.
Craig said generosity remained steady throughout the campaign.
“Every week people came out,” he said. “Every community. Good people donating, whether monetary or non-perishable food.”
Both said the campaign is aimed at helping food banks meet increased demand through the winter months.
“This is about helping families have nice meals at Christmas and New Year’s,” Craig said. “But it’s also about getting food banks through the winter and into the middle of spring.”
Wright noted that food banks are facing growing pressure as food costs rise and demand increases.
“More people are visiting food banks than ever before,” he said. “Increased food costs make it harder for food banks to stretch donations, which makes campaigns like this even more important, not just at Christmas but all year long.”
Build a Mountain of Food was founded 19 years ago by Hugh Colton, beginning as a single-community food drive in Perth.
“It started in Perth because that’s all I could handle,” Colton said. The following year, he jumped into the 11 communities; to do more than that was logistically difficult.
Colton declined to comment further on joining the campaign for the upcoming 20th edition.
But Craig and Wright gave kudos to Colton for his dedication to the campaign for more than a dozen years. Colton stepped away from the helm in 2020.
The organizers offered appreciation to the grocery store owners, food bank managers, volunteers, sponsors, media partners, and businesses that provided vehicles and logistical support during the six-week campaign.
“There are so many moving parts,” Wright said. “Every part plays an important role in making sure the food gets to the people who need it.”
Both organizers closed by thanking donors across the region for their unwavering support.
“It doesn’t matter if it was a dime or a box of food,” Wright said. “All of it is needed, all of it is used, and all of it is appreciated.”
Build a Mountain of Food campaign totals to date
Almonte and Carleton Place
Food: 6,254 lbs.
Cash: $5,172
For the Hunger Stop – the Lanark County Food Bank
Lanark
Food: 3,600 lbs.
Cash: $3,350
For the Lanark Food Pantry
Perth
Food: 71,500 lbs.
Cash: $10,462
For the Perth Good Food Bank
Smiths Falls
Food: 28,801.5 lbs.
Cash: $51,260.10
For the Smiths Falls Community Food Bank
Elgin
Food: 1,035 lbs.
Cash: $7,642.50
For the Elgin Food Bank
Westport
Food: 350 lbs.
Cash: $5,506.80
For the Westport Food Bank
Portland
Food: 2,250 lbs.
Cash: $19,073.86
For the Portland Food Bank
Merrickville
Food: 1,800 lbs.
Cash: $875
For the Merrickville Lions Club Christmas Campaign
Week 6
Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025
Athens
Food: 1,575 lbs.
Cash: $3,255.30
For the Athens Food Bank
Delta
Food: 2,841 lbs.
Cash: $6,941
For the Delta Food Bank
Note: Final verified campaign totals will be released in early 2026.
Keep connected to your community—Read the latest Lanark County news.
