YNCU Launches Third Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive Across Ontario

As Thanksgiving approaches, the Your Neighbourhood Credit Union (YNCU) is set to launch its third annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, significantly expanding its reach across Ontario. This year, YNCU will partner with five branches of Comtech Fire Credit Union as part of a new initiative called Stronger Together, aiming to support communities facing food insecurity.

The food drive will take place from October 7 to October 10, 2025, with a series of collection events at various grocery stores. Donations will be directed to local food banks and charitable organizations, ensuring that families in need have access to essential groceries during the holiday season. “Thanksgiving is a season to appreciate what we have and to share that abundance by supporting others,” said Shaylan Spurway, Manager of Communications and Community Impact at YNCU. “By growing our Food Drive, we’re able to extend that spirit of generosity to more communities across Ontario.”

Supporting Local Communities Through Donations

This year, the campaign aims to address the urgent need highlighted in Feed Ontario’s 2024 Hunger Report, which revealed that one in 16 people in Ontario relies on charities for food. With 16 food drives scheduled during the week leading up to Thanksgiving, YNCU is committed to providing support to various local charities.

In Sault Ste. Marie, donations will benefit the Salvation Army and Harvest Algoma. Collection events will be held at local grocery stores on October 10, where community members can contribute items directly to those in need. The specific locations and times for donations on that day include:

• Sault Ste. Marie (Bay Street): Rome’s Independent Grocer, 44 Great Northern Rd., 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Harvest Algoma)
• Sault Ste. Marie (Trunk Road): Metro Churchill Plaza, 150 Churchill Blvd., 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Salvation Army)

Branch Participation and Community Engagement

Several YNCU branches across Ontario will also participate in the food drive, partnering with local grocery stores to host collection events. For example, on October 7, the Timmins branch will collaborate with Johnson’s Independent to support the Timmins Food Bank, accepting donations from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m..

Other planned events include:

• Guelph: Healthy Planet, 103 Clair Rd. E, supporting Hope House, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on October 8.
• Paris: Zehrs on Fairview, supporting the Paris Food Bank, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 8.
• Kitchener: Sobey’s on Fischer Hallman Rd., benefiting The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on October 9.

In addition to grocery store partnerships, in-branch donation drives will take place during regular operating hours, allowing customers to contribute directly. Participating branches include locations in Kingston, Mississauga, and Toronto, among others.

YNCU encourages all community members to participate in this vital initiative. By donating, individuals can help make a meaningful difference in the lives of those facing food insecurity this Thanksgiving season. For more information on the food drive and specifics about participating branches, visit yncu.com.