Lansdowne Children’s Centre and Brant Food For Thought are celebrating a new Smile Cookie record for fundraising in Brantford. Each organization received $82,501.52 at the conclusion of the Tim Hortons 2026 Smile Cookie campaign, eclipsing the previous achievement of $79,415.54 each organization received through the 2025 campaign.
The money was raised through the sale of Smile Cookies and associated merchandise at 19 participating locations across Brantford.
The hard-working Tim Hortons teams kept pace with the week-long demand by partnering with community volunteers who gave their time to help decorate the chocolate-chunk Smile Cookies. Representatives from companies and organizations including Grandbridge Energy, Joshua Wall and The Crew Real Estate, Rotary Club of Brantford Sunrise, Brantford Police and Brantford Fire, and Special Olympics Ontario were joined by local leaders MPP Will Bouma, MP Larry Brock, City of Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis and Mayor for the County of Brant David Bailey, all contributing their time and influence to back these local not-for-profits that work to support for child development, wellness and nutrition.
Both organizations expressed their heartfelt thanks to everyone who made the campaign such a success; the Tim Hortons staff, the volunteers who helped to decorate cookies, everyone who made a purchase, and those who helped to spread the word.
Lansdowne Children’s Centre provides specialty services, resources and programs supporting over 6,900 infants, children and teens, as well as their families. Executive Director Rita-Marie Hadley commended the dedication and support of all volunteers, participants and the Tim Hortons team members.
“The Smile Cookie funds will support our centre’s greatest needs, sustaining community-funded programs like Every Kid Counts and the Equipment Loan Program. These critical programs support kids and their families beyond clinical services and provide opportunities for children and youth to better navigate our community, communicate their interests, and develop their abilities and social skills. Your efforts and support are going to result in many more smiles,” said Hadley.
Brant Food For Thought is another vital organization for families in the community, which facilitates 62 universal student nutrition programs for over 12,500 children and youth weekly in Brantford and the County of Brant with equitable access to nutritious food. School-based nutrition programs level the playing field for all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background, to be food secure during the school day, well-nourished and ready to maximize their learning success.
Judy Maidment, Program Director for Brant Food for Thought, expressed great gratitude for the contributions of the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign, and its impact in the lives of local kids.
“We’re seeing firsthand the growing need across our schools. Today, we are in every school in Brantford and the County of Brant, and more students are accessing these programs than ever before. Funds raised through the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign will help us expand existing programs to meet this increasing demand,” said Maidment. “We are so grateful to the Tim Hortons owners, staff, volunteers, and our entire community for stepping up to support local students. Their commitment is helping ensure that every child has the opportunity to start their day nourished and ready to learn.”
