Donor Story - Patricia Cherrie

Keith & I met Susan through mutual business connections way back when she was getting summerlunch+ off the ground. We quickly recognized that Susan’s vision for summerlunch+ was something we wanted to be a part of from the get go. Fast forward 10 years and we could not be prouder of what Susan and her dedicated team have accomplished.

We were drawn to this program as opposed to many other gift giving options as it:

• Focuses on the very real need to support children with food during the summer period

• Targets lower income neighbourhoods where there is a high concentration of new Canadians

• Goes beyond just food giving and teaches children and their families valuable food preparation and nutrition tips to help them long term 

• Is a very efficient and flat organization without the usual bureaucratic processes and delays

• It is run by Susan who continues to be passionate and truly devoted to her people and her program

• Has a great staff retention which again goes back to Susan’s strong people skills

These are the reasons we first became involved with summerlunch+ and will continue to contribute. In addition to financial contributions, we have offered our time for financial and marketing input over the years. And Susan has always felt comfortable reaching out and bouncing ideas off us and getting our feedback.

Our children are very much aware of our relationship with summerlunch+ and we like to think that we lead by example by giving back. While they have their own individual giving projects, we feel it is important that various communities within Toronto are supported.

In fact Susan introduced us to the folks at Alexander Park Community Centre and we have developed another long term relationship with this group. Again, there is the financial contribution as well as giving input and getting involved as required. 

We believe that the summerlunch+ program is important to continue, is being well managed and we are happy to be involved.