Words and photography by Mike Douglas
“We’re in year six and still growing,” says Dan Meadowcroft, founder and chair of ’Twas the Bite Before Christmas, with festivities that include a number of popular events that, in only a few years, have become stalwart traditions and vehicles for contributing food and money to The Compass food bank and The Mississauga Food Bank. “This year was exciting, and every year you wonder whether you’ll be as successful as the last.”
At the time of writing, the returns from the various ’Twas the Bite efforts were slightly ahead of last year’s $60,000, plus food donations.
“It’s our single biggest fundraiser of the year,” says Compass Chair Pat Cullen, “and equally important is the profile it gives us in the community, which prompts others to donate food and money.”
The money has enabled The Compass to move beyond the dry goods that necessarily typify donations to food drives, and can now provide better nutrition through fresh vegetables, milk products and frozen meats.
Cullen says that the great majority of clients at The Compass turn over year over year, and are able to move on. The Compass covers an area of Cawthra Road in the east to Winston Churchill in the west, and from the lake in the south to the QEW in the north. They provide this community’s needy with 25,000 pounds of food a month. The Mississauga Food Bank serves 60,000 visits per month. In Peel, 20 percent of children under five live below the poverty line.
At this year’s ’Twas the Bite Before Christmas wrap party, a toy drive sponsored by Ward 1 Councillor Jim Tovey was added to the growing list of gifting opportunities. It was hosted by Roc’n Doc’s and undertaken in cooperation with the Tim Hortons South Side Shuffle. It became a rousing windup for another great season of charitable events, including: the original dinner itself at the Oasis Convention Centre complemented by the all-day breakfast at La Villa Bakery; MPP Charles Sousa’s successful turkey drive; MP Stella Ambler’s Bite at the Brogue fundraiser; the Tens at Ten women’s Christmas networking event; the opening launch; and more social events with important purposes.
One event, Amadio’s Pizza donations, is still underway. This year’s honorary chair was Hazel McCallion and the key sponsors included Dana Hospitality, Trinity Development Group, Westaire Air conditioning Holcim Canada, the Port Credit BIA, Suncor Energy, the Port Credit Comedy Festival, La Villa Bakery, Roc’n Doc’s, One Health Clubs and Stavebank Florists.
To give you an idea of the local enthusiasm, two businesses paid $5,500 each to bring 10 for dinner at the home of Mississauga’s new mayor, Bonnie Crombie.
Events this size make it impossible to list every contributor, but no matter how big or successful it gets, the ’Twas the Bite phenomenon owes its success to three individuals who believed that feeding the hungry was the right thing to do… and if they didn’t do it, who would? So special thanks must go to ’Twas the Bite founders Frank Bailey, Vice President; Jeff McPee, Treasurer; and to the driving force, Chair Dan Meadowcroft.
Congratulations to all, and to all a very good night!
(Below: photos of attendees and volunteers.)
