Just in time for the holiday season, eight unsung holiday heroes across Canada are being celebrated through the first-ever Wishbone Awards by ‘Think Turkey’. Launched in response to rising food insecurity in Canada, the Wishbone Awards recognize and support community heroes who help put holiday meals on the table for those in need.
The Wishbone Award recipients will receive a $2,500 grant to help fund their community efforts and inspire holiday spirit throughout Canada. Launched in response to record-high food insecurity in Canada, the Wishbone Awards nominations were open nationally from November 2 to 15, 2023 to recognize the amazing people across the country who go above and beyond during the holiday season to make sure everyone has a turkey on the table.
Among the eight heroes recognized are Barbara Vandenbor and Ashley Walter of Walkerton who are recognized for creating a space where over 40 community members can gather weekly to enjoy a warm meal with good company at the BigDoor, a renovated garage turned into a welcoming place for those who need it most.
“From hand-delivering hundreds of turkeys to dedicating their holidays to host a community dinner, these eight selfless heroes go above and beyond each year to spread holiday cheer in their communities,” said Darren Ference, Chair, Turkey Farmers of Canada. “We were incredibly moved by the Wishbone Award recipients’ stories and are honoured to contribute to their holiday initiatives at a time when Canadians need it most.”
2023 Wishbone Award Recipients
Barbara Vandenbor and Ashley Walter, BigDoor – Walkerton, Ont.
David and Jean Anderson – Minto, Ont.
Demetre Karountzos, No One Eats Alone Christmas Dinner – Creston, B.C.
Melissa Bain, Food For Life – Burlington, Ont.
Mike and Deanna Diab, Talking Over Turkey – Windsor-Essex, Ont.
Peggy Terry and Cortney Barber, Neighbours in Need – St. John’s, Nfld.
Raymond Carignan, Fondation d’Entraide de Brossard – Brossard, Que.
Sharmane Hindbo – Alhambra, Alta.
“We hope the stories of these outstanding individuals inspire even more Canadians to pull together to make people’s holiday wishes come true,” said Mark Hubert, President and CEO, Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors.
The Wishbone Awards are part of The Wishbone Project, a charitable initiative launched in 2020 by Canada’s turkey farmers and processors to give back to communities across Canada through foods and funds. Since its launch, The Wishbone Project has raised over $240,000, empowering local non-profits, charities, and community heroes to combat food insecurity.
In addition to the $20,000 in Wishbone grants awarded to recipients, Think Turkey will be donating $10,000 to Food Banks Canada.
For more information on the Wishbone Awards and to read the stories of all eight 2023 recipients, visit ThinkTurkey.ca/Wishbone.
About Think Turkey:
Turkey Farmers of Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors’ Turkey Primary Processing Sector Members launched Think TurkeyTM / Pensez DindonMC in 2019 – a national, bilingual campaign aimed to boost turkey consumption. The five-year, fully integrated program includes advertising, digital, retail, PR, influencer, paid social and more, and focuses on engaging primary meal planners to raise awareness of the benefits of turkey, drive year-round demand and increase overall consumption.
