Calgary woman donates Thanksgiving hampers in memory of her grandmother
Brianna Kelly is providing 120 Thanksgiving meals for families in need this October. It costs $50 to fill each hamper with ham, pineapple, carrots, potatoes, gravy, a pie, and dinner buns. She started helping others in 2017 after her grandmother Olive Mawhinney died.
Kelly didn't know about her grandmother's legacy until she passed.
"She actually donated to the woman shelter in Prince George British Columbia for probably over 30 years," said Kelly. "Even in her later years when she was losing her memory to Alzheimer's, she insisted that she was driven down to the woman's shelter personally so she could give them her cheque and say this has to be used for a Christmas party for the women who attend the shelter."
The shelter named one of its programs 'Olive's Branch' in her memory. Now Kelly's Thanksgiving project is called Olive Boxes to continue the gift of giving.
In Olive Boxes first year Kelly put together four hampers. In 2018 and 2019 she grew by four hampers each year. But word in her community started to spread and along with social media postings in 2020 the project grew to 101 hampers.
"And she was really shocked," said friend and volunteer Nancy Hoeght. "And probably a little bit terrified but it was a massive success and of course, so many people from the community came out to volunteer to help, you know, from packing the boxes to delivering the boxes."
Nik Thierry was one of the first volunteers in 2018 to donate and help put the hampers together. Kelly worked as a nanny for his two daughters and has remained family friends. He's watched Olive Boxes grow and helps where he can.
"Helping out just building boxes, sticking labels on and then once we get the food we'll be putting that in the boxes and shipping it all out," said Thierry. "Grunt work really but it's the only way to get it out to people."
Kelly says she starts planning for Thanksgiving in August. She isn't a charity but puts the word out about Olive Boxes on a number of social media groups to finds families in need. She has 243 requests for hampers this Thanksgiving and only 120 to hand out. She says it's a difficult process for her to choose who to give to, but in the end it's rewarding to know she's making a difference.
"Honestly you know I get a lot of people saying we're so proud of you, but I do it for me," said Kelly. "You know it fills me up and fills my bucket for the whole entire year, I say giving is the most selfish act that you could do because really what you're doing fills you, and it fills your heart absolutely."
Learn more about Olive Boxes here:
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.