MBC/Hometown News photo
For 20 years, communities across Lanark and Leeds counties have been building something special — a mountain of food that helps thousands of neighbours put meals on the table.
The annual RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food Campaign is back, celebrating its 20th anniversary with another six-week effort to stock food bank shelves in 11 communities.
What started in Perth through the vision of Hugh Colton has grown into one of the region’s most recognizable community fundraising traditions.
Campaign organizer Chris Craig says it’s hard to believe two decades have passed, but one thing hasn’t changed: the generosity of local residents.
That local connection has always been at the heart of the campaign. Every dollar and every food item collected in a community stays in that community, directly helping its local food bank.
And with food prices continuing to put pressure on household budgets, that help is needed more than ever.
Tammy Parent of the Lanark County Food Bank says the campaign makes an enormous difference, providing supplies that last well beyond the holiday season.
Behind those numbers are families, seniors, children and working residents who rely on their local food banks to make ends meet.
At Perth’s Good Food Bank, operated by The Table Community Food Centre, Amica Hewitt says the campaign provides something especially important to those who visit: consistency.
The success of the campaign also depends on a remarkable number of volunteers.
Parent says approximately 180 volunteers help with Build a Mountain of Food and the many other activities that keep the Lanark County Food Bank running throughout the year.
They’re involved in everything from fundraising and organizing donations to working directly with food bank clients.
But while grocery donations are always welcome, organizers want residents to remember that financial contributions can make an equally important difference.
Hewitt says money allows food banks to purchase specific items their clients need, plan their inventories and take advantage of bulk purchasing opportunities.
This year’s campaign is also an opportunity to recognize the man who started it all.
Colton launched Build a Mountain of Food in Perth before expanding the initiative to 11 communities in its second year.
Craig says that vision, and the support of sponsors and volunteers, helped create something that continues to bring people together.
The 20th anniversary campaign once again has RCL Automotive as title sponsor, with 88.1 myFM, 92.3 WOW FM as media sponsors attending every stop. Hometown News also returns as a media sponsor. Hinton Auto Group is also supporting the campaign by providing vehicles to help collect and transport donations.
Planning is well underway. (MBC News Photo)
Food Blitz Days will take place at participating locations throughout the region, beginning November 7 in Almonte and Carleton Place and wrapping up December 12 in Athens and Delta.
As the campaign prepares to celebrate two decades of giving, Craig says it’s the generosity of people in each community that continues to make it possible.
And the message remains as simple as it was 20 years ago: You Give Where You Live.
2026 Build a Mountain of Food – Complete food blitz schedule
Saturday, November 7
Almonte – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Jonsson’s Your Independent Grocer
Supporting: Lanark County Food Bank (The Hunger Stop)
Carleton Place – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Locations: Anderson’s Your Independent Grocer, FreshCo and Giant Tiger
Supporting: Lanark County Food Bank (The Hunger Stop)
Saturday, November 14
Perth – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Locations: Metro Perth, Barnabe’s Your Independent Grocer, Foodsmiths and Giant Tiger
Supporting: Perth Good Food Bank (The Table)
Lanark – 9 a.m. to noon
Location: United Church
Supporting: Lanark Food Bank
Saturday, November 21
Smiths Falls – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Locations: Jonsson’s Your Independent Grocer, Food Basics, The Garden Market and Giant Tiger
Supporting: Smiths Falls Community Food Bank
Saturday, November 28
Elgin – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Gordanier Freshmart
Supporting: Elgin Food Bank
Westport – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Kudrinko’s
Supporting: Westport Food Bank
Saturday, December 5
Portland – 9 a.m. to noon
Locations: Portland LCBO and RBC
Supporting: Portland Food Bank
Merrickville – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Merrickville Food Market
Supporting: Merrickville Lions Club Christmas Food Hamper Campaign
Saturday, December 12
Athens – 9 a.m. to noon
Location: Athens Fresh Market
Supporting: Athens Food Bank
Delta – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Delta Country Market
Supporting: Delta Food Bank
