As we gear up for the holiday festivities, our minds turn towards the season filled with loved ones, gift exchanges and favourite dishes at the dinner table. The holiday season is also the quintessential time to spread the spirit of giving to help those in need. Supporting food banks in your community is a great way to spread this spirit in a season filled with good cheer and kindness.
Here are some ways you can incorporate helping Canadians in need into your annual holiday traditions.
Raise Food
At your next holiday gathering with friends, family, or coworkers, consider asking them to bring a donation for your local food bank. It will add a charitable element to the festivities which will warm your guests’ hearts.
See what items are most needed and find the address of your local food bank to drop off the donation on our Support Your Local Food Bank page. To make things easy, Loblaw Companies stores are hosting their biannual food drive between November 26th to December 24th. Visit your local Loblaw banner store to make a donation of food or funds to support your local community.
Raise Money
You can also host a holiday or festive themed fundraiser for your friends, family and co-workers! Love doing crafts or baking? Consider doing a craft or bake sale. People love holiday themed goodies or, one-of-a-kind handmade gifts to share and enjoy with their loved ones.
Or, what about hosting a holiday dinner for your friends and family or, lunch with your coworkers? In the invitation, be sure to ask them to make a donation to support their local food bank.
While you are planning your holiday dinner or needing décor inspiration, visit Crate and Barrel. You can show your support and make a donation at any of the six Crate and Barrel locations in Canada. Learn more by asking a Crate and Barrel associate during your visit!
A Yummy Way to Support
As you pick up items from the grocery store, you can find ways to give back. From now to the end of the year, for every purchase of French’s Ketchup or Mustard or Crunchy Toppers a meal will be donated to Food Banks Canada. 1 Bottle = 1 Meal shared.
Want the chance to win a turkey for your holiday meal while donating 1,500 meals to Food Banks Canada? From now until December 3rd, when you purchase any specially-marked Canada Dry, CPlus or A&W beveragest and enter the PIN found on pack, you could win a turkey! No purchase necessary. For complete contest details and rules, please visit https://www.realcanadianthanksgiving.ca/#/form_pin
Egg Farmers of Canada is proud to be celebrating more than two decades of supporting food banking across the country, by contributing millions of eggs each year.
This holiday share your favourite recipes using #recipesthatgive, and be sure to visit here for many egg inspired recipes that you can make at home this holiday season.
Gifts that Give Back
Check out the Club House Holiday Pack at select Sobeys/Safeway locations. It is a great hostess gift! Each pack contains 10 spice blends that can add flavor to your holiday cooking and provides 10 meals to Canadians in need this season!
Planning to pick up a gift card for the coffee connoisseur friend, colleague or family member? You can purchase a festive gift card sleeve from Second Cup for $1 and 3 meals will be donated to Food Banks Canada in support of a Canada where no one goes hungry.
Celebrate with Family & Friends
Looking for something to do with friends and family? Want to see trains lit up with hundreds of bright lights and holiday shapes while enjoying entertainment, food and hot chocolate? The 20th annual Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will be raising awareness, food and funds for local food banks. The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will be travelling through Canada and the U.S. filled with entertainment at each stop while collecting healthy food donations and monetary donations at each event. Check out the Holiday Train schedule and take the opportunity to enjoy the festive atmosphere and entertainment.
Volunteer
We know that this is a busy time of year, so a great way to extend your holiday season is to organize a group sort after the hustle and bustle has died down. Local food banks will have their hands full sorting all the donations collected during holiday food drives. A group sort is a great way to spend time with your friends and family and at the same time give back to your community. To find out more about volunteer opportunities in your area, contact your local food bank.