With the arrival of December, Londoners are being asked to help ensure everyone gets enough to eat this holiday season.

The Business Cares Food Drive kicked off its 23rd annual campaign at RBC Place on Thursday, and for the third straight year, organizers have opted not to set a goal.

“2022 hasn’t been easy – far from it. With rapid inflation and a continued unstable economic environment for many, now, more than ever, the need is there for us to come together as a community and support our fellow Londoners,” said Campaign Chair Wayne Dunn.

Last year, Londoners helped raise over 588,000 lbs of food, including cash and cheque donations. This year Dunn said the community faces a “serious situation” as many are feeling the pinch on their wallets while checking out at their local grocery stores.

“Current demand at the London Food Bank is up a staggering 32 per cent from the same time last year. Now serving 4,000 families per month or 11,000 individuals,” said Dunn. When including the food bank and 35 other programs and organizations the campaign supports, Dunn said that adds up to about 22,000 people per month who need help getting food on the table.

So far, just over 100 businesses have registered for the 2022 campaign, although more will likely be needed to support the growing number of those in need. Dunn added that he understands that some businesses and individuals’ situations may have changed over the last year, but any donation, large or small, is welcome.

“We are asking people in business to give what they can and only if they can. It already has been quite noticeable that some companies simply are not doing well as in previous years and may need to take a year off assisting us,” said Dunn. “That is more than okay. They need to look after their business and their employees first, and we will be there when they are ready to come back.”

More information on how to donate, or where to find drop-off locations is available on the Business Cares website. Financial donations can also be made online. While drop-off donations are typically comprised of non-perishable items, monetary donations allow organizers to buy fresh foods and produce. Donation pick-up days are set for December 16, 19 and 20.

The campaign runs for the next three weeks, before wrapping up on December 21.

-With files from Rebecca Chouinard