Mealshare’s partnership with A&W Canada over the month of November helped provide 32,000 meals to young people in need across the province. (Submitted photo/Derek Juno)

By Martin Martinson

Making A Difference

Mealshare: a Canadian initiative helping fight youth hunger

Dec 22, 2019 | 12:00 PM

Making a difference, one meal at a time.

That is the approach of Mealshare, a Canadian initiative that has served over 3.4 million meals to hungry youth in need.

In November, the organization partnered with A&W Canada on a cross-province campaign.

For every Mushroom Mozzarella Combo that was purchased at participating A&W Canada restaurants in Saskatchewan between October 28 and December 1, one simple healthy meal was then also provided to a youth in need through a variety of organizations.

A tremendous success, the campaign paid off in a big way, providing 32,000 meals to young people across the province.

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Susan Senecal, President and Chief Executive Officer at A&W Canada, said via press release she could not be more pleased with the reception of the initiative and the difference made over the month.

“We’ve always known our franchisees and guests in Saskatchewan have incredibly huge hearts,” she said. “Their generosity and love for their communities consistently inspires us at A&W. With the holidays coming up, this initiative really showcased their giving spirit, and I’m so thankful that we were able to work with Mealshare to provide meals to youth in need.”

All A&W restaurants across the province participated in the Mealshare partnership. Some small-town restaurants, including those in Meadow Lake, Swift Current, Prince Albert and Rosetown, donated more than 1,000 meals each.

Amongst the more than 40 community charities supported, were the Battlefords’ Boys and Girls Club, the Meadow Lake Food Bank, and the Breakfast Club of Canada in Prince Albert.

Mealshare was started six years ago, initially launching in Calgary, AB., in July of 2013. Started by two young entrepreneurs in their local community, the organization has since expanded to over 550 restaurants across Canada.

Executive Vice President of Mealshare, Derek Juno said the reason Mealshare is able to make such a big impact, is due in large part to the simplicity of the initiative.

“People want to give back and Mealshare is one of those things that you don’t have to pay anything extra [or] do anything extra – you are just there to eat food knowing that you are doing something good,” he said. “I think the simple things really work because people want to give back, so if you make giving easy, they will do it every single time; people are good-hearted.”

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1