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 Limited stores are hosting their biannual food drive between November 25th to December 24th. Visit your local Loblaw banner store to donate 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!
Yummy Ways to Support
As you shop for your holiday meals, you can also be giving back and get back. Purchase two Club House Spice blends and a turkey this holiday season and a meal will be donated to Food Banks Canada – bonus – you also get to redeem $5!
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.
Share a Cup of Joy
This holiday season, help spread joy and cheer to a person in need. Purchase a hot chocolate at Second Cup and they’ll donate a meal to someone in need. Help us reach a goal of 150,000 meals!
Booking a Trip this Holiday Season?
Thanks to our partnership with Flight Centre, you can help spread good cheer by donating non-perishable food items at any Flight Centre location across Canada during the month of December and Flight Centre will donate them to the nearest food bank location on your behalf. Wish to travel with a purpose? Flight Centre will also donate $2 to Food Banks Canada for every Airfare Package booked this month.
Join us in helping achieve our goal, which is providing up to 150,000 meals to empty tummies. It’s hard to be merry when you’re hungry, so let’s work together to give a gift that matters.
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 have 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.