Toronto Maple Leafs Hall of Famer Mike Gartner and Raptors Alum Muggsy Bogues were on hand at Air Canada Centre to help staff from Second Harvest load a truck full of excess food Saturday morning. The event formally kicked off a partnership between Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) and Second Harvest aimed at increasing awareness of Second Harvest’s work among Leafs, Raptors, Toronto FC and Marlies fans.

"We are thrilled to formally announce our partnership with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment! The organization has a long history of donating their excess food to Second Harvest. Our recipient agencies, who serve hungry men, women and children in Toronto, are incredibly grateful for the food that they have received in the past and will continue to receive thanks to this wonderful partnership," said Jo-Anne Sobie, executive director, Second Harvest.



Gartner and Bogues rode with the Second Harvest truck and helped make deliveries to PARC (Parkdale Activity and Recreation Centre) and Eva’s Phoenix. Following the Eva’s Phoenix delivery, Bogues was joined by members of the Raptors basketball development team and put on a mini basketball clinic for local youth.

MLSE donates all perishable food items following each of the more than 250 hundred events at Air Canada Centre every year. The partnership will also see MLSE employees and some special guests volunteer their time to collect donations for Second Harvest’s Lunch Money Day at King and Queen subway stations on February 16. MLSE culinary staff, along with guest personalities, will also host a Food and Beverage station at the Yonge-Dundas Square lunch event.

"This community partnership is a natural fit. As one of the busiest arenas in the world we are in a position to make an ongoing contribution to Second Harvest’s cause," said Tom Anselmi, executive vice-president and chief operating officer, MLSE. "By using all of our teams and media platforms to promote Second Harvest’s incredible work, we really hope we can bring their message to an even wider audience."

In addition to the regular food collection following Leafs and Raptors games and live events at Air Canada Centre, the Raptors will host a Second Harvest Awareness Night on February 22 when they play host to the Detroit Pistons. Second Harvest messaging will also be featured prominently across all of MLSE’s broadcast platforms during the Leafs and Raptors seasons.


About Second Harvest

Second Harvest is the largest food rescue program in Canada. Since 1985, Second Harvest has been picking up donated, excess food, which would have otherwise gone to waste and delivering that food to community agencies in Toronto. Every day Second Harvest delivers enough food to provide 18,000 meals to over 200 community agencies in Toronto. Recognized for efficiency and impact of services, independent research group Charity Intelligence Canada has named Second Harvest a Recommended Charity for the past three years.