What is Giving Tuesday?
“Giving Tuesday is a global movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world.”
GivingTuesday.ca
Started in the US in 2012, Giving Tuesday was brought to Canada a year after by CanadaHelps, GIV3 and several other founding partners. The simple idea—a day that encourages people to do good—has since become a movement in over 80 countries. It serves as a counterbalance to Black Friday and Cyber Monday – the consumerism that often precedes the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Regardless of the charity supported and its specific efforts, the momentum of giving is the focus. This year’s Giving Tuesday falls on November 28.
Why is this day important?
Giving Tuesday is a day that highlights the power of collective action. A small act of kindness can go a long way. GivingTuesday, as a cross-country organization, focuses on how simple it can be for individuals, communities, and businesses alike to improve the well-being of others. Acts that may not seem all that impactful can add up, and when the intent is to show the value of giving, no matter how great or small, positive change transpires.
How is Giving Tuesday observed?
Charities, businesses, local community groups and individuals participating in Giving Tuesday all have one thing in common: They are committed to creating a positive change.
On this Giving Tuesday, we invite you to make a tangible difference in the lives of people facing food insecurity across Canada. The past one year was difficult: Persistent inflation and affordability, combined with the climate crisis, made a warm healthy meal increasingly out of reach for many Canadians. Millions turned to non-profits to meet those needs.
In response, Second Harvest rescued and redistributed 74.4 million pounds of food – surpassing all previous records – because of supporters like you. We partnered with more than 4,400 social service organizations to reach 4.8 million people, serving an average of 205,000 meals a day.
While we are proud of the impact we have made, we know there is still so much more to be done. The unwavering commitment from our network of donors, partners and volunteers will continue to empower us in the fight against hunger and food waste.
Thank you for helping us fill plates with not only nutritious food but also hope and happiness this holiday season.
