Tim Hortons Launches Second Smile Cookie Holiday Campaign For Kawartha Food Share

Tim Hortons is keeping Kawartha Food Share (KFS) happy this holiday season, as the latter has been selected as the recipient of the Holiday Smile Cookie Campaign.

Kawartha Food Share is a central collection and distribution warehouse that partners with 37-member agency food banks, food cupboards and other food action programs in the City and County of Peterborough. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The campaign launches next Monday and runs until Nov. 24 at all Tim Hortons locations in Peterborough, Lakefield, Bridgenorth, Curve Lake and Havelock. Cookies are $2 each and all proceeds will be split between KFS and Tim Hortons Foundation Camps.

Last year, the campaign raised $67,290.96.

“Supporting communities is at the heart of the Tim Hortons brand and there's no better time than the holiday season for us to rally with guests, Tims’ restaurant owners and team members to spread kindness right across Canada,” said Axel Schwan, Tim Hortons president.

This year’s Holiday Smile Cookie is a white chocolate chip sugar cookie infused with red and green sprinkles and finished with a hand-decorated smile.

“We are so thrilled to be partnering with Tim Hortons for this wonderful initiative,” said Ashlee Aitken, KFS general manager. “The funds raised during this campaign will assist us in purchasing much-needed food items to keep our agencies shelves well stocked.”

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Kawartha Food Share 'Porch Pirates For Good' Food Drive Pillaging Peterborough This Saturday

Kawartha Food Share (KFS) is pillaging Peterborough for another year as part of its ‘Porch Pirates For Good’ food drive to restock its empty shelves occurring this Saturday.

In the last four years, the campaign brought in over 165,000 pounds of food and over $15,000 in monetary donations. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Households are asked to leave a bag of non-perishable food items on their front porch for the Porch Pirates to collect starting at 9 a.m.

The number of clients using food banks has reached an all-time high throughout the nation, according to KFS. They continue to state that the rising cost of food and supply chain shortages have affected their clients, donors and purchasing power.

The following is a list of items requested for donation from KFS:

• Peanut Butter

• Canned tuna

• Canned vegetables and canned fruit

• Individually wrapped school snacks

• Pasta and pasta sauce

• Alpha-getti, Kraft Dinner and Chef Boyardee

• Breakfast cereal

• Gluten free items – like pasta, cookies, oats etc.

• Canned soup/stew

• Feminine hygiene products

• Diapers

• Monetary Donations (can be made online or during item collection)

For every $1 donated, $3 worth of food can be purchased, according to KFS. Volunteers can collect cheques or cash during their pickups on October 26th.

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Photos: AON Inc. Hosts 'Taste of the Gardens' In Food Vendor Showcase; Held Bake Sale To Benefit Kawartha Food Share

AON Inc. held a double feature of events with a ‘Taste of the Gardens’ food showcase and a ‘Fall Bake Sale’ held at Princess Gardens and Empress Gardens respectively on Thursday afternoon.

Teri Penfound, Colio Estate Wines area manager (left); Ray Barlow, AON Inc. VP (middle) and Dan Leal, director of dining services (right) enjoying a wine sample. All Photos by David Tuan Bui.

The Taste of the Gardens is a food showcase with over 20 vendors at Princess Gardens. It allows residents to sample various foods and drinks served at AON Inc.’s long-term care homes.

“It's bringing a food show to our residents so they get a chance to sample different ideas for the menus,” said Dan Leal, AON Inc. director of dining services. “Our vendors have come to showcase some of their new products with feedback for their fall menu.”

The feedback allows AON Inc. to adjust its menus from the feedback to better suit the needs of the residents and mix up the food choices available throughout the year.

“A lot of the vendors have commented on how the residents are enjoying their products and it's nice to see that the products that they are promoting and selling are bringing smiles to someone's face,” explained Leal. “They're enjoying it and they're getting honest feedback.”

Ashlee Aitken, Kawartha Food Share general manager (left) helps a customer select baked goods made by AON Inc. staff. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Simultaneously, Empress Gardens hosted a bake sale, with all proceeds benefitting Kawartha Food Share.

The baked goods included brownies, cookies, pies, haystacks, tarts and more, all made by AON Inc. staff.

Samples of baked goods, coffee, tea, and lemonade were also available to the public.

$1,575 was raised as a result of the bake sale fundraiser.

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Community Living Trent Highlands and Kawartha Food Share Receive $5,000 Each From Inaugural Mayoral Golf Tournament Fundraiser

As a result of the fundraising efforts of the inaugural Peterborough Mayoral Invitational Charity Golf Tournament, $5,000 each was donated to Community Living Trent Highlands (CLTH) and Kawartha Food Share (KFS).

(From left to right) Blake Ulrich, Kawartha Golf Club head golf professional; Tracey Switzer, CLTH director; Mayor Jeff Leal; Ashlee Aitken, KFS general manager and Nigel Lister, regional manager of Market Deelopment of Cambium INc. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The event took place on Sept. 9 at Kawartha Golf Club and was originally announced by Mayor Jeff Leal on Aug. 13.

“I want to sincerely thank all the participants and sponsors who so generously supported these two important causes in our community,” he said. “Special thanks to Nigel Lister for organizing the tournament and to Blake Ulrich, Jamie Carter and all the staff at Kawartha Golf Club for their hard work to make the event run smoothly.”

The tournament drew 80 golfers that saw community members, local businesses, and city leaders for a day of friendly competition and fundraising.

“We are so appreciative of Mayor Leal selecting KFS as one of the recipients of the Inaugural Peterborough Mayoral Invitational,” said Ashlee Aitken, KFS general manager. “Food Insecurity is unfortunately on the rise in Peterborough and County and this financial support will allow us to supply our 37 member agencies with much needed food items to assist in feeding nearly 14,000 individuals. Thank you to all who participated in making this a fun day for two fantastic causes.”

“We are so pleased to have been chosen and to have a role on such a tremendous day,” Teresa Jordan, CLTF executive director “Despite the rain, everyone was in high spirits, generous and interested. The personal connection that Mayor Leal has with Community Living helped to shine a light on what we aim to do each day in people's lives. It was a wonderful event, and we are so grateful for the support.”

Leal says he plans to run the event again next year.

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50/50 Cash Raffle to Support Four Peterborough-area Community Groups

Profits from the Lakefield & District Lions Club’s “Collaboration 50/50 Cash Raffle” will be divided evenly between Kawartha Food Share, PRHC Foundation, Community Care Peterborough and the Lions Club.

LAKEFIELD & DISTRICT LIONS CLUB "COLLABORATION 50/50 CASH RAFFLE” POSTER

“Fundraising is always challenging, but the people of Peterborough have been very generous in helping us provide our services throughout the region,” Kawartha Food Share General Manager Ashlee Aitken said.

Lesley Heighway, President & CEO of the PRHC Foundation extended gratitude to the Lakefield & District Lions Club for organizing the fundraiser.

“Yours is a powerful example of how we all can make a real difference, close to home,” she said. “Community-led fundraisers are essential to local charities.”

Heighway states the funds will empower world-class care at PRHC by fueling innovation and bringing new services to the region.

“They’ll also support solutions to critical hospital challenges, including helping PRHC attract the best and brightest healthcare experts,” she added.

“Our mission is to support the health and wellbeing of individuals, caregivers and communities,” Danielle Belair, CEO of Community Care Peterborough said. “Our programs and services allow people across the City and County of Peterborough to maintain their independence and dignity.”

Belair goes onto say Community Care Peterborough’s programs impacted more than 6,000 seniors and adults with disabilities in 2023.

“The Lakefield & District Lions Club has been around since 1946 and we are giving back to our community through the generosity of supporters,” added club president Don Parsons.

The winning ticket will be selected on Nov. 15.

Tickets are on sale at lakefieldlions5050.ca.

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Inaugural Mayoral Golf Tournament Fundraiser Raises $9,710 For Community Living Trent Highlands and Kawartha Food Share

The inaugural Peterborough Mayoral Invitational Charity Golf Tournament, held at Kawartha Golf Club, raised $9,710 for Community Living Trent Highlands and Kawartha Food Share.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The event took place on Sept. 9 and originally announced on Aug. 13 by Mayor Jeff Leal.

“I want to sincerely thank all the participants and sponsors who so generously supported these two important causes in our community,” said Leal. “Special thanks to Nigel Lister for organizing the tournament and to Blake Ulrich, Jamie Carter and all the staff at Kawartha Golf Club for their hard work to make the event run smoothly.”

The tournament drew 80 golfers and proceeds benefitted Community Living Trent Highlands (CLTH) and Kawartha Food Share (KFS).

“We are so appreciative of Mayor Leal selecting Kawartha Food Share as one of the recipients of the Inaugural Peterborough Mayoral Invitational,”  Ashlee Aitken, KFS general manager. “Food Insecurity is unfortunately on the rise in Peterborough and County, and this financial support will allow us to supply our 37 member agencies with much-needed food items to assist in feeding nearly 14,000 individuals.”

“We are so pleased to have been chosen and to have a role on such a tremendous day,” Teresa Jordan, CLTH executive director. “Despite the rain, everyone was in high spirits, generous and interested. The personal connection that Mayor Leal has with Community Living helped to shine a light on what we aim to do each day in people's lives.”

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Chicken Farmers of Ontario Donate 350 KG of Chicken to Kawartha Food Share to Distribute Among Local Food Banks

In a partnership to help combat food insecurity, the Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) have partnered with Food Ontario to donate 350 kg of chicken to Kawartha Food Share at the latter’s facility on Thursday afternoon.

Tim Klompmaker, CFO District 9 Board Director; Shanade Thomas, Food Ontario and Ashlee Aitken, Kawartha Food share general manager putting the CFO SWAG and chicken on display. The CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Banks program contributes over 1 million meals annually to local food banks. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“Thanks to the continued dedication of the Ontario chicken farming community who donate their chicken to food banks year-round, since 2015, the CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Banks program has donated over nine million chicken meals,” said Tim Klompmaker, CFO District 9 Board Director.

The donated chicken will contribute to over 3,000 meals for families and individuals in need throughout Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

“Proteins, like chicken, are among some of the most-needed items at food banks and we want to ensure that Ontario communities and food banks have a steady supply of safe, healthy, locally-grown chicken,” said Klompmaker. “Chicken Farmers are proud to support the Peterborough community.”

The CFO made the donation through the CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Banks program. It enables chicken farmers to donate their chickens to food banks across Ontario.

Peterborough and the Kawarthas have received chicken donations contributing to 70,200 meals provided through local food banks since May of 2022.

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New Mayoral Golf Tournament Fundraiser Announced to Benefit Community Living Trent Highlands and Kawartha Food Share

To benefit Community Living Trent Highlands and Kawartha Food Share, Jeff Leal, Peterborough mayor has announced the inaugural Peterborough Mayoral Invitational Charity Golf Tournament fundraiser on Tuesday at City Hall.

(left to right) Jeff Leal, Peterborough Mayor; Nigel Lister, Regional Manager, Market Development of Cambium Inc; Ashlee Aitken, Kawartha Food Share general manager and Teresa Jordan, Community Living Trent Highlands executive director. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“Supporting these two incredible organizations is a cause close to my heart," Leal said. “By coming together for a fun day on the golf course, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of many.”

The tournament is at Kawartha Golf Club on Sept. 9. It is an open event. The friendly competition has no set fundraising goal and wants to invite as many people as possible to join the event. Proceeds will be equally divided among the two beneficiaries.

Leal easily approved the inaugural event, saying that past mayors have had their respective fundraising events and saw this tournament as an opportunity to make it his own.

“Former mayor Daryl Bennett's wife, Jewel, they sponsored the ‘Mayor's Giving Gala’ for a number of years and the proceeds of that went to the Peterborough Community Foundation and allowed them to be a very successful organization,” he explained. “Former mayor Paul Ayotte did an event with Homegrown Homes during his tenure as mayor.”

The day will include a round of golf, lunch, and dinner. Registration and lunch begin at 11 a.m. and the shotgun start is at 1 p.m. Dinner will be at 5 p.m.

The public can register online. You must have two or four players per team to register.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available that include hole promos, golf balls, hats, lunch/cart, dinner, Caesar bar, longest drive/closest to the hole or individual holes.

Those interested or seeking more information can go online or email nigel.lister@cambium-inc.com.

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Kawartha Food Share's 'Porch Pirates For Good' Food Drive Is Back to Plunder Peterborough On June 1

Kawartha Food Share's (KFS) ‘Porch Pirates For Good’ food drive is back in Peterborough to restock empty shelves for June 1.

For the past four years, the food drive has yielded over 140,000 pounds of food and over $12,000 in monetary donations. Photo courtesy of

Households are asked to leave a bag(s) of non-perishable food items on their front porch for the Porch Pirates to collect starting at 9 a.m.

Food bank clients have reached an all-time high throughout Canada as rising costs of food and supply chain shortages have affected their clients, donors and purchasing power, according to KFS.

The following is a list of items requested for donation:

• Peanut Butter

• Canned tuna

• Canned vegetables and canned fruit

• Individually wrapped school snacks

• Pasta and pasta sauce

• Alpha-getti, Kraft Dinner and Chef Boyardee

• Breakfast cereal

• Gluten free items – like pasta, cookies, oats etc.

• Canned soup/stew

• Feminine hygiene products

• Diaper

• Monetary Donations (can be made online or during item collection)

For every $1 donated, $3 worth of food can be purchased, according to KFS. Volunteers can collect cheques or cash during their pickups.

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Wolfe Lawyers Two-Hour Free Holiday Parking Raises Over $12,000 For Kawartha Food Share

Downtown shopping has paid off in a big way as the Wolfe Personal Injury Lawyers Two-Hour Free Holiday Parking raised $12,625.58 for Kawartha Food Share (KFS) at a cheque presentation at the latter’s facility on Wednesday afternoon.

(From left to right) Mayor Jeff Leal; Ashlee Aitken, KFS general manager; Councillor Alex Bierk and Bill Wolfe, Wolfe Personal Injury Lawyers. Kawartha Food Share currently assists more than 9,000 people every month through its 36 member agencies. It supports four meal programs, seven city food banks, six housing projects, seven county food banks and over 20 food cupboards across the City and County of Peterborough. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

From Nov. 25 to Dec. 31, Wolfe Lawyers sponsored Downtown Peterborough's free parking. This includes all downtown municipal parking spaces such as on-street parking, municipal parking lots, the King Street Parking Garage and Simcoe Parking Garage.

Any optional parking fees paid through parking meters or the HotSpot App went towards KFS during that time.

“The Two-Hour Free Holiday parking promotion is a true win-win scenario that collects much-needed donations for the Kawartha Food Share while encouraging people to enjoy the shopping, dining and entertainment of downtown businesses,” said Mayor Jeff Leal.

“We appreciate the support and generosity of shoppers and residents making voluntary donations during the holiday season,” said Bill Wolfe of Wolfe Personal Injury Lawyers. “These funds, through the support of Kawartha Food Share, will help to put food on the tables for people.”

“We are so thankful for the continued support of the City of Peterborough and the local shoppers for donating to Kawartha Food Share each and every December,” said Ashlee Aitken, KFS general manager. “This year, more than ever before, we needed this donation to help us restock our shelves.”

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