The annual RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food campaign is back for it’s 20th year!
We’ll be visiting 11 communities collecting food and cash thanks to volunteers, donors and community partners!
Check on totals as they come in at their official RCL AUTOMOTIVE BUILD A MOUNTAIN OF FOOD page found here, and check below for stories and conversations with the awesome people who keep our Food Banks doing what they do so well, help the community.
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
What's good? The RCL Build a Mountain of Food begins 2026 in Carleton Place and Almonte
The RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food campaign is celebrating 20 years of helping local families, and the anniversary campaign kicks off Saturday in Carleton Place and Almonte. The annual food drive is once again bringing volunteers, businesses and residents together to support the Lanark County Food Bank, also k...
Nov 5, 2026
20 years of giving: Build a Mountain of Food begins in Carleton Place and Almonte Saturday
Twenty years of helping neighbours in need, and the tradition is showing no signs of slowing down. The RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food campaign celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, with the first food blitz taking place Saturday, November 7, in Carleton Place and Almonte. The opening stop supports the Lan...
Nov 3, 2026
20 years of giving: Build a Mountain of Food returns to help neighbours in need
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...
Oct 21, 2026
Build a Mountain of Food marks another strong year across 11 communities
Year 19 of the RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food has wrapped up with another successful campaign, helping restock food bank shelves across the region. Organizers said the annual campaign only works because of strong community backing. Volunteers across each town gave their time to collect food and donations. Busi...
Feb 23, 2026
Build a Mountain of Food wraps with astounding food, monetary donations
The RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food campaign is wrapping up another successful year, delivering major support to food banks across 11 communities. In Smiths Falls, residents rallied behind the Smiths Falls Community Food Bank, donating 22,572.5 pounds of food and $10,551.50 in cash. Perth recorded the largest t...
Dec 16, 2025
The RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food wraps a very successful year
The annual RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food campaign made its final stops for 2025 this week. In Athens, 1,575 pounds of food and $3,255.30 were collected at the Athens Fresh Market for the Athens Food Bank. Later in the day, 2,841 pounds of food and $6,941 were collected for the Delta Food Bank at the Delta Cou...
Dec 15, 2025
Athens Food Bank recipients of Saturday's BAM food drive - Here's what they need
The Athens Food Bank says this Saturday's RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food stop comes at a critical time, with volunteers preparing Christmas hampers and working to restock shelves for the new year. President Shirley Bernice McLean says they're looking for some staples. the community has been incredibly generous...
Dec 12, 2025
Delta food bank shares urgent wish list ahead of RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food
The Delta Food Bank says it is hoping for a strong turnout at this Saturday's RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food stop as demand continues to rise in the community. Volunteers will be collecting donations at the Delta Country Market from 1 to 4 p.m. Co-chair Jana Curtis says the food bank has seen a 61-per-cent inc...
Dec 12, 2025
Delta Food Bank sees huge increase in demand
The Delta Food Bank is preparing for one of its busiest seasons yet, with co-chair Jana Curtis reporting a 61-per-cent increase in clients ahead of this weekend's RCL Automotive Build A Mountain of Food stop. Curtis says many of the clients are seniors, but they've seen a shift that began over the summer. Curtis says v...
Dec 10, 2025
Athens food bank says community generosity is 'mind-boggling' ahead of RCL Automotive Build A Mountain of Food
The president of the Athens Food Bank says this weekend's RCL Automotive Build A Mountain of Food stop comes at the perfect time as volunteers prepare to restock shelves for the new year. Shirley Bernice McLean says the community's support has been extraordinary, especially as Christmas hampers go out this Friday. McLe...
Dec 10, 2025
Community push in Portland and Merrickville sends Build a Mountain of Food totals soaring this week
The RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food campaign wrapped up another strong week as Portland and Merrickville residents stepped up with major support. In Portland, volunteers collected 2,250 pounds of food and $19,073.86 in cash, marking one of the community's biggest single-week contributions of the season. The cas...
Dec 8, 2025
Portland Food Bank shares its wish list ahead of RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food stop
The Portland Food Bank is once again asking the community for help as it hosts the RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food Campaign on Saturday. Manager Anita Cox says the shelves rely heavily on non-perishable staples - and many of those items are becoming harder for families to afford. Cox says several foods are esse...
Dec 5, 2025
Merrickville Lions urge community to step up at RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food
The Merrickville Lions Club says support is urgently needed at this weekend's RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food as volunteers work to fill this year's Christmas Hampers for families across the community. Lions Club member Mark Scullino says donations of all kinds are appreciated, but non-perishable food, the pre-...
Dec 5, 2025
Portland Food Bank manager talks rising demand
The Portland Food Bank is seeing a sharp rise in demand as more households turn to its shelves heading into the holidays. Manager Anita Cox says this year has been a major learning experience as she settles into her first year in the role. The Portland Food Bank keeps roughly 75 items stocked at all times. If you'd lik...
Dec 2, 2025
Westport delivers a Mountain of Food
We now have results from the RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food's stop in Westport this past weekend. Westport volunteers collected 350 pounds of food and $5,506.80 in cash, adding to a big weekend total across the region. Yesterday we told you that donations in Elgin reached 1,035 pounds of food and $7,642.50 in ...
Dec 2, 2025
Holiday hamper demand surges, Merrickville Lions set to respond
The Merrickville Lions Club says more families than ever are turning to its annual Christmas Hamper program as food insecurity continues to rise - and volunteers are gearing up for a busy Build a Mountain of Food drive this weekend. Member Mark Scullino says the long-running program dates back to 1990, and this year's ...
Dec 2, 2025
Big day in Elgin! RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food stop a success
The RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food capaign rolled into Westport and Elgin this weekend. While, we wait for results from Westport, we can tell you Elgin collected 1,035 pounds of food and $7,642.50 in cash for the Elgin Food Bank. Find out more about the campaign by clicking here. Check out the official RCL Bui...
Dec 1, 2025
Elgin Food Bank outlines most-needed items as RCL Automotive's Build a Mountain arrives Saturday
The Elgin Food Bank is preparing for a busy weekend as the RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food Drive rolls into town on Saturday, and Pastor Bob Crump says certain items are urgently needed. Crump says peanut butter remains one of the most popular staples because of its protein content, even though it can't be used...
Nov 28, 2025
Holiday generosity needed as Westport Food Bank hosts RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food
The Westport Food Bank says this weekend's stop on the RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food campaign comes at a critical time, with organizers hoping for both food and financial donations to support families heading into the holidays. Volunteer Jim Kenny says the food bank's wish list is wide open, but he encourages...
Nov 28, 2025
Elgin Food Bank sees steady demand as young families turn to support
The Elgin Food Bank is seeing steady need from local families, and Pastor Bob Crump says the stability is both unusual and concerning. He says the number of people using the food bank rarely goes up or down. After a few visits, he says, new clients often feel comfortable because of the kindness and understanding of the...
Nov 28, 2025
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Westport steps up as food bank volunteer says holiday need is growing
The Westport Food Bank says this holiday season is one of its most important ever, with demand holding steady and community generosity stronger than ever. The RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food Drive rolls into Westport from noon until 4pm this Saturday. Volunteer Jim Kenny says the food bank supports many people ...
Nov 25, 2025
Massive food totals: RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food campaign stops in Smiths Falls
The RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food campaign has reached a major milestone as Week 3 wrapped up with huge totals in Smiths Falls and across the region. Organizers say donations continue to pour in as residents, businesses and service clubs stepped up in a big way. In Smiths Falls, support for the Smiths Falls C...
Nov 24, 2025
Elgin Food Bank sees steady demand as young families turn to support
The Elgin Food Bank is seeing steady need from local families, and Pastor Bob Crump says the stability is both unusual and concerning. He says the number of people using the food bank rarely goes up or down. After a few visits, he says, new clients often feel comfortable because of the kindness and understanding of the...
Nov 24, 2025
Smiths Falls food bank makes urgent plea ahead of Saturday's Build a Mountain stop
The Smiths Falls Community Food Bank is asking residents to step up in a big way ahead of this Saturday's RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food stop. Volunteer Valerie Engelhardt says the staples remain the greatest need for the food bank. She says ongoing costs add pressure every week as the food bank buys cereal, m...
Nov 21, 2025
Massive donations pour in as RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food stops in Perth and Lanark
The RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food Campaign saw another strong day of community support as it rolled into Perth and Lanark on Saturday. In Lanark, residents rallied behind the Lanark Highlands Food Pantry with 3,600 pounds of food and $3,350 in cash. That total includes a major $2,500 donation from the Lanark ...
Nov 17, 2025
What's Good? the RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food rolls into Smiths Falls this week
Smiths Falls food bank prepares for massive Build a Mountain of Food stop as demand soars The annual RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food rolls into Smiths Falls this Saturday, and volunteers say it arrives at a critical time for the Smiths Falls Community Food Bank. Volunteer Valerie Engelhardt says the event is on...
Nov 17, 2025
Build a Mountain of Food returns to Perth to fight local hunger
The RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food campaign rolls into Perth and Lanark this Saturday for week two of the annual collection drive, supporting families facing food insecurity across Lanark County. Amica Hewitt, with the Good Food Bank at The Table Community Food Centre, says the event helps stock shelves for hu...
Nov 14, 2025
Build a Mountain of Food rolls into Lanark Highlands: Here's what they need
The RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food Campaign continues this weekend with a stop in Lanark, supporting the Lanark Highlands Food Pantry. Volunteers will be collecting donations on Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon at St. Andrew's United Church, located at 115 Clarence Street in Lanark. Reverend Bruce North says al...
Nov 14, 2025
What's good? Build a Mountain of Food aims to tackle growing hunger crisis in Perth
The RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food campaign continues this weekend with stops in Perth and Lanark to help local families facing food insecurity. Amica Hewitt, from the Perth Good Food Bank at The Table, says demand has never been higher. Donations will be collected Saturday, November 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ...
Nov 10, 2025
Build a Mountain of Food campaign off to a heartwarming start in Almonte and Carleton Place
The RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food campaign launched with a successful kickoff in Almonte and Carleton Place, collecting 6,254 pounds of food and $5,172 in cash donations. Organizers said the chilly weather didn't cool community spirit, with plenty of residents turning out to give generously. The campaign cont...
Nov 10, 2025