People helping people
Tiny Brickton eatery makes Christmas magic happen for local families
“We hope with doing this gift drive and the seniors’ program it gives these people just one day worry-free.” Chantal Belcourt Co-owner, Perky Loaf
The owners of a little restaurant and bakery in Annapolis County made a Christmas wish this year, and with some help from customers and suppliers they will make a lot of people happy on Christmas Day. They have stuffed big food hampers for six families with Christmas breakfast, a full turkey dinner, and a myriad of other Christmas Day goodies and gifts.
Chantal Belcourt and Michelle Friel have also created a seniors’ program and are helping keep homes warm in the Lawrencetown and Bridgetown areas.
“We have all had our struggles in life for whatever reasons, us included,” said Friel. “It breaks our hearts to know families out there are struggling with just the simple everyday things they need. If we could just take away their worries – for even one day – it’s worth it.”
“We hope with doing this gift drive and the seniors’ program it gives these people just one day worry-free,” Belcourt added. “One day to forget about the stress of everyday living. Just a time to enjoy seeing their children smile on Christmas morning.”
SIX FAMILIES
Feeding people is Perky Loaf’s stock in trade since opening in mid-May. The menu at the little eatery is based on what Friel’s grandmother would have served up, and nobody knows Christmas dinner better than Grandma.
“We took on six families consisting of five sets of parents, one single dad just starting out, and 17 kids in total,” said Friel. “The families were from Lawrencetown and Bridgetown areas. We did these areas as I live in Lawrencetown and Chantal Lives in the Bridgetown area.”
They didn’t just pick families at random. They had some help.
“We received wish lists from the families – the local schools choose the families so we had no knowledge as to who they were – that we posted out to the public on our Let’s Spread Some Christmas Cheer Facebook page,” said Belcourt. “Between what the community stepped up and shopped for and what
money donations we received we were able to fill those wish lists.”
THE HAMPERS
The hampers will ensure the six families will have everything they need for some wholesome meals on Christmas Day.
“We were able to put together a large food hamper that contained all items for a big Christmas breakfast, everything needed for a full turkey dinner, and some treats and snacks for Christmas Day,” said Friel. “These items came from our local suppliers, another local restaurant, and the community. We added to the hamper by providing some simple pantry staples. This would add a few side dishes to their meals for other days.”
Nearby Angie’s Family Restaurant helped out by chipping in two of the six turkeys.
The Perky Loaf also created a fuel fund after receiving a large cash donation from a supporter.
“We were able to not only put oil in this parent’s tank but through talking with a local oil company they added to the fund,” said Belcourt. “This will keep their house warm for about a month.”
HELPING SENIORS
The business partners also wanted to help other people and came up with another idea which is making sure the senior demographic is taken care of.
“Our Love for the Seniors’ program comes from both myself and Chantal’s love for our grandmothers,” said Friel. “We were both extremely close to our grandmothers.”
The duo wanted to improve on the kind of meals delivered to older folk.
“So, what we do is for every senior that is sponsored we deliver three full meals,” she said. “These meals are exactly the type of food you would get at The Perky Loaf. Healthy, full of flavour, and hearty.”
Belcourt said the three meals are big enough to stretch the servings out to more than three.
“We want to help take care of the seniors just like we would take care of our grandmothers if they were still here,” she said.
ABOUT COMMUNITY
The restaurant partners said it’s all about community – people helping people.
“If it wasn’t for the community’s help, we would not have been able to accomplish this,” said Friel. “Not only did our hearts commit to doing what we can but the community stepped up and went above and beyond and poured their hearts into this too.”
The evidence of that claim was obvious to Perky Loaf diners as the tiny lower dining room at the restaurant was crammed with totes and shopping bags filled with evidence of the community’s generosity.
“We love this community, all of our customers, and the people who helped us make this happen,” said Belcourt. “We can’t thank everyone enough. We hope this is just the beginning and we plan to try and help more families next year.”