Community, local Tim Hortons restaurants raise over $42,000 for Meals on Wheels

Annual “Match Our Meals” campaign a success

By Zachary Roman

Each December, Bolton Tim Hortons restaurants challenge Caledon residents to raise money for Caledon Meals on Wheels.

In December 2022 the Bolton Tim Hortons Restaurants, owned by The Stafford Group, began the “Match Our Meals” campaign. Residents were challenged to raise $7,500 in donations to Caledon Meals on Wheels (CMOW), which The Stafford Group would then match.

Christine Sevigny, Executive Director of CMOW, said by the end of December the $7,500 goal was smashed as the community had raised over $32,000. This led The Stafford Group to increase their matching donation to $10,000, thus bringing the final total of funds raised to over $42,000.

“Our local community support was amazing,” said Sevigny.

Brad Stafford, owner of the Bolton Tim Hortons restaurants, said Match Our Meals was started in 2016 when he and his company wanted to support good nutrition for seniors in the community.

“Unfortunately, there are many people with low incomes in our community who need the food, and Match Our Meals was our way of supporting seniors with financial challenges,” said Stafford. “Our Match Our Meals Initiative each December hopes to inspire our community to donate to help seniors and people with disabilities get the programs and services they need.”

Sevigny explained CMOW assists low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities in getting hot or frozen meals delivered to their door. She said in 2021 and 2022, CMOW was able to deliver over 29,000 meals to those in need thanks to the generous support of the community.

CMOW then also provided an additional $30,000 in meal subsidies to those in financial need.

“We are so grateful to The Stafford Group who own the Bolton Tim Hortons. They launched

Match our Meals with a $7500 challenge, and once again increased their match level to $10,000

in response to the community's generosity,” said Sevigny in a media release. “Thanks to the collective support of our friends and donors, we continue to be able to offer the range and reach of programs and services across the community. Caledon Meals on Wheels believes that everyone regardless of age, or income level, should have access to nutritious food, social connections and activities for the mind and body to encourage healthy aging, and support living independently in their own homes for as long as possible.”

Those who are interested in learning more about CMOW, or know of a senior or

a person with a disability who could benefit from some additional support, can call 905-857-7651 or visit cmow.org.