The icing was flying on Monday with local police versus paramedics in a cookie-decorating contest to kick off a fundraiser for the Brantford Food Bank.
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The Holiday Smile Cookie, a white chocolate sugar cookie with red and green sprinkles baked inside and decorated with a white icing smile, will be sold at Tim Hortons location in Brantford and St. George until Nov. 24.
Jen Fotheringham of the Brantford Police Association was quick on the draw, icing eight cookies in 26 seconds at the kick-off challenge at the Tim Hortons store on Colborne Street West.
The contest was all in fun, but the aim of the cookie campaign is serious.
Ashley Singleton, community food procurement coordinator at the food bank, said they are seeing the highest usage of the service since the 2008 recession.
Brantford Food Bank usage is up about 30 per cent from last year. At the same time, donations to the food bank are down about 10 per cent. Each month, about 1,300 households, made up of around 3,000 people, are using the food bank.
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“With the cost-of-living climbing people aren’t making enough to pay their bills and their rent and buy groceries,” said Singleton. “We’re seeing people who’ve never been to a food bank before. We hear all the time, ‘I used to donate, now here I am.’ There’s a real urgency this year for help.”
New data from Food Banks Canada suggests more people than ever are facing the difficult decision to use a food bank. Its annual survey of food bank use in Canada recorded more than two million visits in March 2024 — nearly double the monthly visits five years ago in March 2019, and six per cent above last year’s record-breaking figure.
The increased need for help comes just before the holidays, when many families need support so they, too, can celebrate.
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Singleton said registration for the annual Christmas Baskets campaign organized by Community Resource Service filled up quickly. A total of 1,291 households signed up to get gift cards for food and for presents for children 14 and under. The cards will be distributed on Dec. 9.
Singleton said money is spent up front for the program with the hope that donations will come in.
“And we always hope to have a little nest egg for next year,” she said.
The public can help by making monetary donations at the Brantford Food Bank at 1100 Clarence St. South. Donations can also be made online or by calling the food bank office.
Singleton said companies and businesses are encouraged to hold food drives and donations from individuals are also appreciated. Food can be dropped off at 111 Sherwood Dr., Unit 30.
Holiday Smile Cookies are $1.50 each. Proceeds are split between the Brantford Food Bank and Tim Hortons camps. Boxes of cookies can be pre-ordered at //ow.ly/vTQY50U0LyC
“To be chosen for this charity is an honor,” said Singleton. “It’s huge. Historically, this cookie campaign raises a lot of money. The procedures will allow us to keep eating people.”
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