Businesses helping to feed the Christmas spirit

Some of Sudbury's less fortunate who use the Blue Door Soup Kitchen will be able to put some food in their bellies this Christmas thanks to a first-time partnership with several local businesses.

This is the first year the soup kitchen is handing out 200 Tim Hortons gift cards, and it's thanks to the support of Laurentian Chrysler, the Ukrainian Credit Union, About Feet Medical Footcare, Wal-Mart and Maslack Supply that it is happening.

In addition, 16 families will receive a $50 Walmart gift card, said Bob Johnston, public relations for the Blue Door Soup Kitchen.

“This is the first year we are doing this, and we'll see how it goes,” Johnston said. “It's something different, and we just want to our clientele to be able to have a coffee, a sandwich and a donut.”

About Feet Medical Footcare is just opening for business, and Erica Vaillancourt, owner, said she and her children volunteered at the soup kitchen last year. It was her way of showing her children how the less fortunate live in Sudbury.

“It makes us feel great knowing we are giving back, and that 100 per cent of what we are giving is going to support Sudburians in need,” she said.

Angela Andlar, branch manager, Ukrainian Credit Union, said it's unfortunate there are a lot of underprivileged people in the city who need this type of support.

“As a community-based credit union, it's very important for us to support our local people,” she said.

The Ukrainian Credit Union and Maslack are also sponsoring the Blue Door Soup Kitchen's Boxing Day meal.