Greg was truly a man for others and in no other way did he model this more than by gathering family, friends and colleagues to collect food for those in need. One idea, one man, one family has grown into a local tradition which serves thousands from Southern Maryland and throughout the DC metro area. Our "Cans of Hope" reach farther every year.
To lessen the food deficit in the DC metropolitan region by providing families the opportunity to practice their faith through action by collecting nonperishable food items in their neighborhoods to donate to local food pantries.
To collect more food for Washington area hungry by expanding the number of drives we organize each year, raise awareness of the hunger needs of the greater Washington D.C. community and share the message that we are all called to serve our neighbors. As our efforts continue to grow, we estimate we will reach our 2 millionth can collected by 2020!
Each December they appear, the brown paper bags with a request for canned food. A day or two later, laughter and appreciation can be heard through the neighborhoods as the bags, often times overflowing with generously donated items are collected as part of the special local tradition, the Greg Gannon Canned Food Drive (GGCFD)
Started by a man of service and faith, with a passion to help those in need, the GGCFD began as a simple idea to have friends collect food for the poor. That was in 1987- today more than 30 years later the GGCFD is a treasured tradition for thousands of volunteers.
When Greg Gannon approached his parish of Blessed Sacrament (DC) with the idea of starting a canned food collection he never could have imagined how many lives he would change. The GGCFD has changed more than just the lives of those who receive the generous donations, it has changed the lives of the thousands of volunteers who over the years have played a role in this truly special tradition.
In 2006, Greg passed away after suffering from brain cancer, but his spirit and legacy live on through the GGCFD, now under the loving leadership of his brother Rick Gannon.
This simple idea for a food drive has exceeded all expectations. GGCFD is the story of how one man, and one family, carried out a simple idea that has inspired and energized countless members of their community. Offering the experience to serve the less fortunate as a family, through action, it is where a community comes together and accomplishes something one family could not do on its own. Today, now thousands of people have participate, many returning year after year to volunteer. What began in one community has spread now to 15 communities that actively participate each year The GGCFD has collected and donated nearly 2 million canned goods to D.C. and Maryland area food banks.
This simple proven method of engaging adults and children alike to collect food items is creating new traditions for more families.