CBC Make the Season Kind 2024

rfda

CBC Make the Season Kind

Help fight hunger this holiday season 

Join us as we partner with CBC for their annual celebration of community and kindness in support of families in Thunder Bay and the region, Make the Season Kind (formerly known as Sounds of the Season). 

Food banks need your help now more than ever. The high cost of living is driving more and more individuals and families to our doors. But you can be a lifeline to families experiencing hunger this holiday season. Here are six ways you can help make the season kind. 

Make a financial gift

Your financial gift to RFDA through CBC Make the Season Kind will help provide emergency food access to thousands of families, seniors, and individuals.  

Online:  Click the donation form link below to support our food bank.

Donate now

By phone: Call our operators at 1–866–416-KIND [5463].    

The donation hotline will be staffed every weekday in December from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, except December 6, when lines will be open from 5:30 am – 7:00 pm.    

Special Programming

Tune in to your favorite shows on December 6 for special Make the Season Kind programming.  

For more information visit: cbc.ca/kindontario

Learn more about the CBC School Challenge 

Starting November 13, all publicly funded elementary schools in Ontario will be invited to teach students about powerful themes of social justice, poverty, and food access through the CBC School Challenge.  

Participating classes will have the chance to win special prizes and recognition in a CBC announcement in January 2025. Share this news with your child’s teacher and stay tuned for details!  

Other ways to support

Participate in the '12 Days of Giving'

Introduce your kids to concepts of hunger, inequity and the importance of giving back with our “12 Days of Giving” activity. Click here to learn more.  

During your giving period, you can start conversations with your kids about food insecurity with our given prompts. This is a great way to incorporate themes of charity and community into your family’s holiday season. 

Donate Food

Help put food on the table for neighbours who need it by dropping off non-perishable items at 570 Syndicate Avenue South Between 9am to 4:30 Pm.

Spread the word

Multiply your impact by sharing your efforts to #MakeTheSeasonKind on social media. You never know who in your network will be inspired to roll up their sleeves and help. Don’t forget to tag us! 

Together, we can make a difference for our neighbors facing food insecurity.   

Thank you for your generous support of RFDA through CBC Make the Season Kind!  

FAST TO FEED CAMPAIGN

rfda

FAST FOR A DAY TO FIGHT HUNGER

Donate $44.62

THE CONCEPT BEHIND FAST TO FEED

The idea behind “Fast To Feed” is simple yet profound. We ask you to fast for 24 hours and consider donating the amount you would typically spend on food for that day. This initiative aims to help you understand the plight of those who go hungry and to raise funds to aid families struggling with food insecurity.

WHY $44.62?

The idea behind “Fast To Feed” is simple yet profound. We ask you to fast for 24 hours and consider donating the amount you would typically spend on food for that day. This initiative aims to help you understand the plight of those who go hungry and to raise funds to aid families struggling with food insecurity.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE ?

Participation is simple. On September 27, you fast for the day. During this time, consider the struggle of those who regularly go without food. Then, donate the amount you would have spent on your meals. To make it more engaging and spread the word, click a picture or a short video of you or an empty plate and share it on Instagram. Don’t forget to tag us @RFDA and use the hashtag #FASTTOFEED.

SNAP, TAG AND SHARE!

Your participation doesn’t end with fasting and donating. We encourage you to take a picture or a short video of yourself or an empty plate, symbolizing the meals you skipped for the day. Share this on Instagram with the hashtag #FASTTOFEED and tag @RFDA. This act will help raise awareness and encourage more people to join in this noble cause.

GET IN TOUCH

For further information or if you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with us. You can reach out via email at rfdacentre@tbaytel.net or call us at 807-622-7440. Your participation can make a significant difference in someone’s life. Join us in this fight against hunger. One day of fasting, one day of sharing, and one day of making a difference. Remember, every little bit helps and together we can work towards a world without hunger.

Community BBQ 2023

rfda

Community BBQ 2023

Throwback to the commUNITY BBQ – 19th July sponsored by IG Wealth Management. Thanks to the people of Thunder Bay and our partners United Way of Thunder Bay Dew Drop Inn Thunder Bay Shelter House Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre Rock 94 BeaverTails Mobile NorthWest Ontario for participating in the event and making it a huge success. We had a blast this year and we can’t wait for the next commUNITY BBQ. 🫶🫶💚

We had a blast and proud of our wonderful teams and volunteers for making it happen! We’re so grateful to have been a part of this amazing event, a day to remember. Big thank you to everyone for joining in today to the commUNITY BBQ at RFDA. We made it happen.

 

 

Newmont Partnership

rfda

Thank you Newmont Musselwhite Gold Mine for your long term commitment to the RFDA. Musselwhite Mine, through its Community Investment Committee, has generously pledged 

$225,000 over the next five years to our future growth plan and expansion of current facilities. We value your partnership and leadership. We look forward to working together towards the betterment of our community.

Dame Mas Dance

rfda

Dame Mas Dance

Thank you once again for partnering with RFDA. On 7th July Dame Más Dance organized , Afro-Latin Dance Party, for RFDA Thunder Bay Regional Food Distribution Association at Norteños Cantina! It was truly a successful event with loads of music dance, fun and food donations.🤩 Your efforts in organizing fundraisers, donation drives, or any other means of generating support have not only raised much-needed funds but have also increased awareness about our organization and the critical work we do.

Your contribution has made a tangible difference in the lives of countless individuals and communities, and we are immensely grateful for your partnership. It is heartening to witness the power of collaboration between businesses and non-profits, and we genuinely appreciate your dedication to corporate social responsibility. Your actions have set an inspiring example for others, and we hope that your kindness will continue to ripple through society.

Once again, thank you for your remarkable support. Your partnership is an essential pillar in our journey towards positive change, and we look forward to continuing this meaningful relationship in the future.

Congratulations to Shayna Mihalus for winning the 5-Class Dance Pass for classes at the Dame Más Dance studio!!🤩

Stronger Together

rfda

Join the challenge

Click Here

The Stronger Together fundraising campaign challenges all businesses in Thunder Bay to come together and battle food insecurity. This campaign aims to create awareness, fill the shelves and raise funds to address the increasing demand for area food banks and to serve remote and underserved communities.

According to recent statistics, one out six children under 18 suffer from food insecurity in Canada. With current inflation rates and constantly increasing visits to food banks it is predicted that more than seven million people will be struggling with food insecurity.

The RFDA has been hampered by a lack of food, supply chain barriers and a widening technology void. We need your support with a consistent supply of food and cash donations so we can keep up with the increasing demand. Action needs to be taken now, do your part and contribute today.

Business Partners to Date

To do GREAT things, we need a GREAT team. At RFDA, we value our partners & we want to take a moment to extend our heartfelt thanks for the exceptional support received during the last several years. Our partners support and collaboration help us in achieving our mission to feed the hungry and Let No One Go Hungry.

Memorial Home Hardware

In the month of April Memorial Home Hardware successfully raised $10,500 through Operation Stock the Shelves. Shannon and Chris Sauer owners, are very excited to help RFDA again through this campaign by challenging other businesses in the community.

Chris and Shannon say, “The need is ongoing and will continue to be, it hasn’t ended and the shelves are empty again at RFDA. We want other businesses to step up. We are all in this together and if we all do a little piece it will keep hungry people fed in our community.”

Dougall Media

Dougall Media was the media partner for Operation Stock the Shelves. We sincerely appreciate their support which helped lead to the success. Dougall Media challenges the business community to support RFDA.

The Thunder Bay Border Cats

Thunder Bay Border Cats have been a great partner this year for us. The Border Cats raise funds for RFDA through 50/50 raffles and are committed to help us raise food donations on game nights for the months of July and August. The Border Cats are the first to step up to Home Hardware’s challenge.

Rooster’s Bistro

Rooster’s Bistro has accepted the challenge, Jim Comuzzi the owner of the restaurant says, “the increase in food prices have impacted everyone and it is important for all the businesses in our community to contribute to local charities to combat hunger and poverty.”

Push Fitness Centre

Jenn Bisignano owner, Push Fitness is supporting RFDA in the Stronger Together campaign. Jenn encourages fit minded people to join the campaign.

Umbrella Medical Clinic

Aldona Richard, registered nurse at Umbrella Medical Clinic encourages other healthcare facilities in town to join the Stronger Together campaign and help us build stronger community.

ITEC 2000 equipment Inc

Itec 2000 equipment INC is proud to be a part of this campaing and Kyla Jarvinen business, employee and community relations is proud to support RFDA.

Maternity Care Midwives

Maternity Care Midwives are a part of the Stronger Together campaign and Chantal Dube & Margaret Fliestra, registered midwives are ready to support our community by raising food and monetary donations for RFDA.

Starbucks – Thunder centre location

Starbucks Thunder Centre location will be collecting non perishable food & monetary donations in support of RFDA till September 7. Thank you Cale and Noah for showing the true spirit of community champions by creating awareness about the campaign and making strong contributions towards building a stronger community.

Copperfin Credit Union

Happy to share that our proud partner Copperfin Credit Union is on board with the Stronger Together campaign and have donated 150 kgs of food and diapers to the RFDA. Thank you Will and Katrina for your wonderful efforts and making amazing contributions towards building a stronger community.

Crossroad Music Fort William First Nation

Crossroad Music Fort William FIrst nation will be collecting non perishable food & monetary donations in support of RFDA till September 7. Thank you Andrew and Eugene for hopping on board and helping RFDA to battle food insecurity. Thank you once again, Together we are Stronger.

“Alone we can do so little; Together we can do so much”

– Helen Keller

We Provide Food for Food Banks

rfda

The Regional Food Distribution Association (RFDA) of Northwestern Ontario is one of the many food banks that collects and distributes food to shelters, homes, and people in dire need. The significant difference: they also provide food for the food banks.

The association started in June 2003 with the primary aim of alleviating hunger across the Northwestern region. Since then, the programs have prospered into more fruitful, meaningful, and diverse initiatives that further target what the RFDA primarily set up.

RFDA aims to create a reliable and equitable emergency food delivery system throughout the region, coordinate food from individuals and businesses, promote the universal right to have access to healthy food, and provide instruction on food preparation and active livelihood for sustainability. Our mission is simple, “Let no one go hungry in our midst.”