$45,000 raised for Caledon Meals on Wheels through “Match Our Meals” campaign

Local Tim Hortons restaurant owners support campaign with $10,000 in matched donations

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A recent fundraising campaign for a local non-profit was a massive success. 

On January 2, Caledon Meals on Wheels (CMOW) Executive Director Kim Rodrigues told the Citizen the non-profit had raised $45,000 through its 2023 “Match Our Meals” campaign that ran in December.

The campaign was run in partnership with The Stafford Group, which runs Tim Hortons restaurants in Caledon. The group initially pledged to match $7,500 in donations to CMOW, but raised the number to $10,000 after seeing the great success of this year's campaign. 

“Caledon is a giving community… people care about the people that live here,” said Rodrigues.

CMOW provides nutritious meals, support services, and wellness programs to seniors and vulnerable community members. Last year alone, it served nearly 27,000 meals to over 750 different clients in the community. 

Rodrigues said CMOW has seen an increase in the number of seniors who need the costs of their meals subsidized. She explained 25 or 30 per cent of people who previously did not need meal costs subsidized now do. 

She explained inflation and increased cost of living is stretching people's budgets more than ever, especially those that are on a fixed income and can't work.

CMOW provides delivery of hot and frozen meals for around $6 or 7 per meal, and has a sliding scale of subsidy it can provide for those in need. Fundraising campaigns for CMOW greatly help the non-profit in subsidizing meals.

Rodrigues said some seniors are even struggling to afford a subsidized cost of $3 per meal in today's difficult financial climate.

“It's been a stretch to meet those demands, but with the results of (Match Our Meals) for the next few months we'll be able to weather that storm,” said Rodrigues. 

Some seniors that CMOW serves rely on the non-profit for all of their meals.

“They're not able to go out and do grocery shopping or do meal prep or cooking… they're highly dependent on the meals that we provide,” said Rodrigues. “The food delivery program is a lifesaver for many… it's critical that we are able to continue to provide whatever we can to people.”

Rodrigues is very passionate about her work. 

“Seniors have worked, raised families… it's now our turn to make sure they're going to be safe and cared for and not have to worry about what their next meal is going to be,” she said. 

Rodrigues said CMOW is fortunate to have the Stafford Group in the community and explained they've been a supporter of CMOW since 2016.

Brad Stafford is the owner of Bolton Tim Hortons and said CMOW plays a pivotal role in ensuring local seniors have access to nutritious meals, companionship and the support they need to thrive. 

“At the heart of the campaign is our dedication to making a tangible difference in the

lives of those who rely on Caledon Meals on Wheels,” said Stafford.

Rodrigues said she was really happy with the recent Match Our Meals campaign, as its original fundraising goal of $20,000 was more than doubled.

“We're thrilled by that because it helps the work we do go even further,” said Rodrigues.