It’s that time of year again: Smile Cookie week at Tim Hortons across Burlington, and the Burlington Food Bank will again be the beneficiary of 100% of the proceeds from Smile Cookie sales.
Until May 5, you can pick up some of Tim’s iconic chocolate chunk Smile Cookies and know that your morning pick-me-up (or afternoon, or mealtime — no judgement here) will support a great local cause.
On hand at yesterday’s Smile Cookie Fundraising Campaign launch at Robin Evans’ Tim Hortons location at 5051 Harvester Rd. were MP Karina Gould, MPP Natalie Pierre, Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman, the Burlington Food Bank’s Robin Bailey, Christina Mulder, and Krista Kay, the executive director, food bank manager, and director of marketing and community fundraising, respectively, and local Tim Hortons’ owners and staff.
Smiles were indeed seen all around, on faces, signage, and the sweet treats themselves.
Said Bailey in a press release, “We are incredibly grateful to Tim Hortons for selecting the Burlington Food Bank to be a part of the 2024 Smile Cookie campaign. …Every Smile Cookie sold will make a difference in our ability to support households currently experiencing food insecurity.”
Bailey noted that the Burlington Food Bank has seen an increased demand for their services of over 40% compared to the same time last year; this marks an ongoing trend in rising numbers of Burlington Food Bank users, year over year, since 2020.
Last year, the Smile Cookie campaign raised nearly $145,000 for the Burlington Food Bank; the agency has been the recipient of the campaign’s fundraising efforts in Burlington for the past few years, and Kay, notes, the food bank is ever grateful for the continuing support.
“We’re grateful for the Tims’ owners’ support, and the community’s support in purchasing cookies; we’re thankful that we’ve already seen a strong response in the first two days of the campaign,” says Kay.
The Smile Cookie Campaign has become an important fundraiser for the community served by the Burlington Food Bank. Especially, Kay says, because literally every pre-tax penny from your Smile Cookie purchase goes to the food bank.
If you’d like to pre-order a box (or three — again, no judgement here), the Burlington Food Bank has a handy form (click here) that you can complete and submit to the participating Tim Hortons of your choice; please submit the form at least 48 hours ahead of your desired pick up time and date.
Delivery apps like Skip the Dishes, Uber Eats, or Door Dash may also offer Smile Cookies.
Smile Cookies cost $1.50 each, $9 for a half dozen, or $18 per dozen (all plus applicable tax); you may also be able to nab one of the popular personality smile pins, at $2 each.
Sources:
Bailey, R., and Williams, J. 2023. Feeding our neighbours: 2022/2023 hunger report. Burlington Food Bank. Url: https://www.burlingtonfoodbank.ca/feeding-our-neighbours/ (accessed April 30, 2024).
