How We Got Started
The Grocery Foundation formed GIFT (Grocery Industry Foundation, Together) in 1979. GIFT focuses all of the fundraising and charitable efforts of the Grocery Foundation under a single banner.
Instead of just asking for money, GIFT did run fundraising programs with support from Grocery Foundation members. Through the sale of coupon books, GIFT helped charitable organizations to provide nutrition for disadvantaged children, while at the same time making groceries more affordable for everyone.
Cash For Kids
The first fundraising program created under GIFT was Cash For Kids, conceived in 1979 by Norm Bosworth (Canada Dry) and John Toma (Dominion). The idea was simple; raise money for families who were struggling to make ends meet and lower prices on grocery items for consumers. Every cash for kids coupon redeemed by a consumer at a participating retailer generated a donation to the grocery foundation.
Later, the funds raised by Cash For Kids helped support programs run by Variety. For over 60 years, Variety has been improving the lives of children through educational, fitness and life skills programs across Ontario as well as providing a full-scale gym and teaching facility.
So, every time a Cash For Kids coupon was purchased, a disadvantaged child’s future was made a little bit better..
Toonies For Tummies
Today the Cash for Kids program has become Toonies for Tummies. The program combines cents off coupons on leading brands for consumers, as well as an opportunity for the public to donate a Toonie when they check out at the cashier. Funds go to supporting meal programs in local schools in the community where consumers shop. These meal programs are managed by Breakfast for Learning and other organizations such as Help Kids Now and the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario.
Night To Nurture Gala
Every February the food industry gathers to show their support and dedication to providing nutritious meals for disadvantaged families. Featuring top international musical talent such as The Beach Boys, Michael Buble, Barenaked Ladies, Nelly Furtado and Bryan Adams this event is truly a celebration. Not just an unforgettable night out – the Night to Nurture stays true to its namesake. In 2010 this event raised over $2 million to assist challenged youth and was recognized as one of Canada’s largest fundraising dinner events.
Breakfast For Learning Voucher Program
In 1992, the Canadian Living Foundation sponsored the founding of the Breakfast for Learning program. This program provides the resources, knowledge and skills to provide nutritious breakfasts to the hundreds of thousands of elementary and high school aged children that go to school on an empty stomach. Designed to be a hand-up, rather than hand-out, the program is designed so that schools are able to run the program completely independently within 4 years.
The Grocery Foundation saw this as a great opportunity to make a real impact on the lives of disadvantaged children. With generous support from Grocery Foundation suppliers, The Voucher Program provides vouchers redeemable for food products to the neediest schools in Ontario. These vouchers allow the schools to access food at discounted prices which in turn allows them to provide healthy meals for even more hungry students. today vouchers are available for leading brands such as dempster’s, minute maid, parmalat, quaker and yoplait,
Breakfast for Learning provides lasting skills and resources, and weaves a strong community fabric in every school it touches. In fact, several students involved with the Breakfast For Learning Program have gone on to study the culinary arts and a few have even opened restaurants of their own.
The Future
With your help, we can make a lasting positive impact on the futures of disadvantaged children across Ontario. Every single donation not only provides a healthy meal, but also hope and a brighter future for children in need. Giving is easy and together we can help disadvantaged children reach their full potential and build strong, nurturing communities across Ontario.