A Family Day partnership is continuing to pay off for the St. Thomas Elgin Food Bank.
The Talbot Trail Optimist Club teamed up with Railway 1856 – Ultimate Mini Golf at the Elgin Centre to offer free mini golf and refreshments to the community, while encouraging guests to bring donations in support of the food bank.
Karen McDade, Manager of Public Relations and Administration at the food bank, says the response from the community was overwhelming.
She credits the Optimist Club, along with the Buttigieg family, for organizing this creative and generous way to give back. In addition to the food donations, over $3,640 in cash was collected during the event.
McDade adds that thanks to strong community support throughout November and December, capped off by the Family Day initiative, the food bank has not had to purchase additional skids of food beyond its regular weekly milk and eggs.
Now heading further into 2026, McDade says the continued generosity has been both practical and heartwarming, easing pressure during what is typically a challenging time of year for food banks.
Written by: Kennedy Freeman
