NEWS RELEASE
THE LIGHTHOUSE COMMUNITY SERVICES & SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
********************
For 25 years, Tim Hortons restaurant owners have shown their dedication to supporting their communities through the annual week-long Smile Cookie campaign, in which 100 per cent of the proceeds from the sales of chocolate chunk cookies are donated to a charity.
Once again in Orillia, at all 10 area Tim Hortons locations, the proceeds will go toward The Lighthouse Community Services & Supportive Housing.
The previous two years of Smile Cookies in Orillia area went toward the pledge by Tim Hortons Canada Foundation of $100,000 to name the Tim Hortons Coffee Corner in the new dining room at the Lighthouse which included the branded, custom kiosk, counter, commercial coffee machine, branded china mugs and start up supply of coffee for several months.
The capital pledge was surpassed by the Orillia community stepping up and purchasing $101,300 worth of cookies over 2019 and 2020. The community now has the opportunity to raise additional funds to help those who are most vulnerable in our community that receive services from The Lighthouse, for the 2021 Smile Cookie campaign.
The Lighthouse previously could only shelter up to 14 men per night in the old facility and serve 40-50 meals to the community during the lunch meal open to the public. In the new facility at 75 Queen St. E., Orillia, the maximum capacity of the emergency shelter (post pandemic), is 60 women, men and youth, with 20 supportive housing apartments for chronically homeless individuals and couples and seats up to 102 in the new dining room for the public meal program.
Since the COVID19 pandemic hit, The Lighthouse moved its operations into local hotels and sheltered approximately 620 individuals from March 2020 to August 2021.
Lynn Thomas, Development and Communications manager said these numbers, unfortunately, are not decreasing.
“With the increased numbers that we have seen of people in the community coming to us for help whether in the form of shelter, housing, bagged lunch program, mental health support, we also have an increased budget," said Thomas.
"With the opening of The Lighthouse Community Services facility, many community services that cost up to 10 times more than our program, such as the use of a hospital bed at Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital are being deferred to our new program which is a huge cost savings to the community.”
Thomas also said, “this is the perfect opportunity to help in a small way, but collectively becomes a great support to The Lighthouse in our inaugural year of operation to help even more people who are desperate for help.”
Tim Hortons restaurant owners across North America have now raised over $65 million through Smile Cookies, including a record-breaking $10.56 million raised last year alone.
This year, 625 different charities and community groups will be supported during the Smile Cookie campaign, which runs from Sept. 13 through Sept. 19. The charities, chosen by Tim Hortons restaurant owners, include hospitals, community care organizations, food banks and schools.
“Every year, Tim Hortons restaurant owners and their team members are so excited to decorate our delicious chocolate chunk cookies with blue eyes and pink smiles so we can support hundreds of different charities across Canada,” said Hope Bagozzi, Chief Marketing Officer at Tim Hortons.
“With the help of our guests, we’re hoping to make this the most successful Smile Cookie campaign in Tim Hortons history.”
To participate in this year's Smile Cookie campaign, visit your local Tim Hortons restaurant or place an order through the Tim Hortons mobile app for delivery. For a full list of local charities and community groups benefiting from Tim Hortons annual Smile Cookie campaign, visit http://www.timhortons.ca/smile-cookie. Guests can also share how they are supporting the annual campaign by using the hashtag #SmileCookie on social media.
About The Lighthouse Community Services & Supportive Housing
“A thriving community where everyone has hope, a home and a future.”
In July, we opened our brand new legacy facility to help men, women, youth and families get on the road to wellness and independence, one life at a time. Our capital campaign raised $14.5 million to open our doors without a mortgage for a brighter future for those experiencing homelessness, poverty, addictions and food insecurity.
We are appealing to the community to step up and become a monthly donor of any denomination, $20/$50/$75/$100 or customize to fit their budget. These monthly donors are known as “Lighthouse Keepers” in which their donations go 100% to the operations of our facilities in order to place people on the road to wellness and independence.
To find out options for donating go to orillialighthouse.ca for more details.
About Tim Hortons
Tim Hortons is one of North America's largest restaurant chains operating in the quick service segment. Founded as a single location in Canada in 1964, Tim Hortons appeals to a broad range of guest tastes, with a menu that includes premium coffee, hot and cold specialty drinks (including lattes, cappuccinos and espresso shots), specialty teas and fruit smoothies, fresh baked goods, grilled Panini and classic sandwiches, wraps, soups, prepared foods and other food products.
Tim Hortons has more than 4,800 system wide restaurants located in Canada, the United States and around the world. More information about the company is available at www.timhortons.com.
********************
