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The CEO of Shaw Communications has donated more than $10 million to Alberta charities, including $6 million to the Calgary Food Bank and $3 million to the Edmonton Food Bank.

Brad Shaw is also giving $100,000 to the Calgary Veteran’s Food Bank and $1 million to Alberta animal and wildlife preservation organizations, including the Calgary Humane Society, the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society and Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation.

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Calgary Food Bank CEO James McAra said the $6-million contribution will allow the organization to continue its work “at maximum capacity.”

“Plus it will give us the confidence to meet the ever-increasing demand in the coming year,” McAra said in a news release Friday.

Edmonton Food Bank executive director Marjorie Bencz noted the charity has been “severely challenged” by increased need this year due to economic challenges faced by Albertans.

“This gift will help us provide food on the tables for hungry people in 2016,” she said.

According to a Food Banks Canada report issued last month, three-quarters of Alberta’s food banks say they’ve seen an increase in demand from last year, due to an economic downturn that has led to layoffs across the province.

Shaw said he and his family “understand that the current circumstances facing our communities are particularly difficult.”

“We are pleased to be able to support the work of causes and organizations that make a difference to the health of our province,” Shaw said.