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Since 1987, the Caring and Sharing Exchange has partnered with the Beer Store to raise funds for the Christmas Exchange program by running a City-wide bottle drive. In the last 36 years, Running on Empties has raised over $442,000 and has helped provide thousands of individuals and families in need with much-needed support at Christmas time. As many of you already know, our Running on Empties Event is where Beer Store employees partner with Christmas Exchange volunteers at every store in the city to encourage patrons to donate a part of or their entire empty beer bottle returns to Christmas Exchange. Money raised by Running on Empties goes directly towards providing food and hope for those in a time of need during holiday season. This year, our Running on Empties Event will take place on Saturday, December 21, 2024.
Last year a record 8,889 Ottawa families, representing 26,921 individuals, turned the Christmas Exchange Program for support! With our recent Sharing in Student Success Program seeing a 31% increase, we are anticipating an overwhelming number of registrations this year, so every dollar helps!