Tim Hortons is back to baking up smiles with its second annual Holiday Smile Cookie campaign, with all local proceeds going to The Sharing Place and Tim Hortons Foundation Camps.
Locations in Orillia, Severn, and Oro-Medonte are participating in the local effort, which runs from Nov. 18-24.
The Sharing Place has been selected as the campaign’s recipient for the second straight year, with local Tim Hortons reps recognizing the need many families face through the holiday season.
“(Through) this time of year, the cost of living, the cost of food is very challenging for some people,” said Cara Harris, Tim Hortons operations manager. “Collaborating with (The Sharing Place) and the donations that we have, it's great to see the impact that has on our local community it's been great collaborating with them, and we’re happy to help them again this year.”
Now in its second year, Harris hopes the holiday campaign has become more familiar in the community.
“We hope to see lots of people come out, buy a cookie, two, three, a dozen, and really support a good cause that's going right to the local community to help people right here in Orillia,” she said.
Each year, The Sharing Place puts together 500 holiday hampers on top of its regular food bank programming, providing families in need with breakfast, Christmas dinner, dessert, and more.
“The holidays bring on a lot of stress for people, especially when their situation is already stretched tight,” said Kelly Allen, development manager at The Sharing Place. “The added pressure of giving at the holidays and providing for their kids or their family, or doing that special meal just just adds to that weight.”
Allen said the holidays bring increased demand at The Sharing Place, and thanked Tim Hortons for choosing the food bank in its campaign again.
“We are so honoured to be selected again this year, and we really value that recognition of our work, of them selecting us and honouring the fact that we run … pretty strong programs that address food insecurity in Orillia, and we're just really thankful that we've got such a strong community behind us,” she said.
“It's kind of a light-hearted way to give back. You know, it's fun – the cookies have smiles on them.”
This year, members of the community are also able to pre-order cookies – for an office meeting, sports practice, or any other event – by filling out a form, available here, and bringing to a local Tim Hortons.
