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Home / News / All aboard for Coats for Kids and Families
December 2, 2022
Photo by IK Creative for United Way of the Alberta Capital Region
“When you donate to United Way’s Coats for Kids & Families initiative, you’re giving so much more than a coat. You’re giving your neighbours a chance to survive and thrive during Edmonton’s long, harsh winters.” – Rob Yager, President & CEO, United Way of the Alberta Capital Region.
“When you donate to United Way’s Coats for Kids & Families initiative, you’re giving so much more than a coat. You’re giving your neighbours a chance to survive and thrive during Edmonton’s long, harsh winters.”
– Rob Yager, President & CEO, United Way of the Alberta Capital Region.
“Through The Public Food Hub’s work to support local businesses, they have a unique understanding of what doing local good truly means. We are grateful to be partnering with them at the Edmonton Christmas Market to spread the word and bring in warm winterwear to help our neighbours in need,” Rob continues.
Since 2019, The Public Food Hub Co. has produced the Edmonton Christmas Market to support local entrepreneurs while giving back to the community. Co-founder Kirsta Franke explained that in addition to providing a one-stop shop for 225 Alberta brands, the market also employs 35 full-time staff, supports local artists and performers, and gives back to three local charities: Edmonton’s Food Bank, Christmas Bureau of Edmonton, and United Way of the Alberta Capital Region.
“What gets me out of bed in the morning is the fact we can produce an event to this level that is a platform to small business to succeed in this city, and help people find meaningful employment,” Kirsta shares.
This isn’t The Public’s first time working with United Way to combine social purpose with entrepreneurship. The Public collaborated with United Way’s Communities United initiative and Action for Healthy Communities on Market Ready, a course for small food-based businesses looking to break into the farmer’s market and grocery retail scene. It was that experience that led Kirsta to explore working with United Way to support Coats for Kids & Families.
“Through Market Ready, we worked with a lot of newcomers. Some of these folks get to Canada and they don’t have anything, and they don’t understand how having warm winterwear is really important.” Kirsta explains.
“Through the Edmonton Christmas Market, we wanted to provide opportunities to give back as well. If we can help just a little bit to provide warmth to people in need, that’s important to us.”
We need your help to reach our goal of collecting 9,000 winter items! Volunteer to accept donations of winterwear at the market between November 30 and December 18. In appreciation, you’ll receive free entry into the Edmonton Christmas Market for the day you volunteer.
Sign up for a two hour shift now.
Maritza shares her story of escaping Colombia and coming to Canada as a refugee, and how her experience – and the support she received from United Way-funded programs – helped her rebuild her life.
It’s the season of friendship, generosity, magic, and goodwill toward all. As you’re making a list and checking it twice, consider adding “a stronger and more resilient community” by supporting United Way of the Alberta Capital Region.
United Way of the Alberta Capital Region is rallying residents of the metropolitan region to support our most vulnerable community members during a season of urgent need.
