Few things are more Canadian than a warm winter toque — or lending a helping hand to those in need.
This holiday season, Vince’s Market is spreading warmth in more ways than one through their Wear One, Share One give back campaign. Until Dec. 27, the local grocery chain will be donating a cozy toque to a person in need for every one they sell – warming double the heads and supporting Newmarket’s Inn from the Cold, Sharon’s Blue Door, Uxbridge’s North House, and Tottenham’s My Sister’s Place shelters.
Hats are $10 each, and are available for purchase at Vince’s Market Newmarket (869 Mulock Dr.), Sharon (19103 Leslie St.), Uxbridge (234 Toronto St. South), and Tottenham (55 Queen St. South) – just ask a cashier or visit the display at the front of the store.
So far, Vince’s Market has already collected hundreds of hats for donation — a testament to the community’s incredible support of local charities.
“This is a first-time campaign, so we’re just happy to bring awareness to shelters in our community,” said Maria Ciarlandini, community support ambassador at Vince’s Market. “The hats are a small way people can help give back through Vince’s Market during the holiday season.”
To ensure toques get into the hands of those who need them as soon as possible, Vince’s Market will be delivering to shelters regularly until the end of the holidays.
Along with the hats, they’re also planning to deliver platters of food to show appreciation for the shelters' teams — one of the independent grocery chain’s ‘Random Acts of Kindness’, an annual initiative to "feed those who feed others."
“Purchasing a toque for yourself while donating another to a local shelter is a fun way of making the holiday season cheery,” said Ciarlandini. “It’s a way we can all work together to give back.”
Wear One, Share One is capping off a successful year of giving back for Vince’s Market, which has already completed several community initiatives in 2024.
In May, the grocery chain’s Volunteer Day saw employees volunteer as a team at local organizations, including CHATS, York Region Food Network and the Newmarket Food Pantry.
Throughout the year, their four locations have also raised money for the Grocery Foundation’s Toonies for Tummies program through the sale of certain in-store items, helping provide healthy food at schools for the one in three Canadian children at risk of going to school hungry.
In total, Vince’s Market commits $45,000 to community initiatives each year, by way of sponsorships, donations, volunteering, gift cards, monetary donations, and — of course — hats.
“A lot of customers have been so great in purchasing the toques," said Ciarlandini. "We’re really excited about the outcome.”
