It is not always easy finding the time to do Christmas baking.
So, when an opportunity presents itself in the form of a cookie walk, where you can fill the freezer with Christmas goodies and support a local charity all in one fell swoop, then by all accounts, it is a win-win situation.
Like-minded people were lined up to the door at Burrow’s Country Store and Garden Centre for the fifth annual North Bay Food Bank Cookie Walk.
“My favourite thing is, I love to see what people in our community bake. There are some homemade peppermint patties back there. They speak to my heart. I’ve been sending people home with big smiles,” said Amber Livingstone, manager of the North Bay Food Bank.
“We are putting the ‘fun’ back in fundraiser. We see people we may not see at other events. They’ll come to the cookie walk or they will just donate which is also appreciated.”
One of those customers going home with a big smile was 6-year-old Chloe Paquette, who was quick to point out some of her favourites.
“I like gingerbread, chocolate fudge, and the mint ones. I have never seen this many cookies before. I like it,” she giggled.
Dad Brian was amazed by the selection.
“We just heard about it, so we figured we would come and get some homemade cookies for my grandparents who are coming down to watch the kids. There are quite a bit of cookies and stuff and my daughter is having a blast picking out the cookies,” said the older Paquette.
“It is good for the charity, to raise money for people who need food. So, it is a good charity to donate to.”
The North Bay Ukulele Club kept people entertained with some of the more traditional songs of the season.
Bob Hudson, one of the owners of Burrow’s said the event seems to grow every year.
“I was on the Food Bank board of directors until just this year, but it was an idea that Amber Livingstone had five years ago to have an old-fashioned cookie walk. So, we volunteered our store to have it, and it was a great success,” said Hudson.
“Every year it gets bigger and bigger. It has been great. The support from the community has been wonderful and then, of course, all the volunteers the food bank brought with them. And all the people who make cookies are just incredible. We started with over 200 dozen cookies today.”
Hudson says it is a true community event.
“There is a real family atmosphere here. When people walk through the door there is almost always somebody, who knows somebody and they’re hugging them wishing them a Merry Christmas. It is just fun for us as a staff here because it is a day not like other days. It is a great feeling.”
