We are proud to be a part of the Guelph and Puslinch community.
Our neighbours have been supporting each other during this time and it is so wonderful to see. If you are able to support our local economy, we urge you to do so during this time by shopping local and eating local! Hit up your favourite local restaurant patio or get take out! Go for a stroll downtown Guelph and pop into the stores — just don’t forget your masks!
Again, if you are able, please consider donating what you can to some of the organizations and charities in town — we all need to do our part.
We have put together a list of places to eat, shop, and support! If you would like to be added to our lists please contact christina@cbn.on.ca. Thank you in advance.
Charities to Support
Here is a list of charities in need of a little extra support:
Big Brothers and Big Sisters Guelph: Volunteer
Canadian Blood Services
Guelph Foodbank:
Donations: Canned Meats – Salmon/Ham/Chicken, Cold Cereal, Peanut Butter, Cheese Spread, Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables, Stew & Soups, Meal Helper, Canned Tomatoes, Pasta Sauce, Rice, Juices, Coffee, Tea, Toiletries, Baby Formula, Baby Foods, Diapers Size 3,4,5, and 6, Special Diet Foods: Diabetic Products, Low Sodium, Gluten Free / Wheat Free Products, Boost/Ensure
Monetary Donations are also greatly appreciated at this time.
Cereal (hot/cold), Clothes, Toilet paper Laundry soap Dish soap, Deodorant, Body wash Body lotion, tampons, pads, Razors, Shampoo, Conditioner, Makeup, Denture supplies, Toothpaste, Diapers: Size 3, 4, & 5, Baby products, Adult absorbent briefs, ChapStick, Fresh fruits and vegetables, canned fruit & vegetables, Dairy, Meat, Tuna, Pablum, Ground coffee, Peanut butter, Eggs (graded), Juice, Oil, Ensure, nut butter, Canned whole tomatoes, Tomato sauce, Canned, dry beans, Gluten-free products, pet food. Monetary Donations are also greatly appreciated at this time.
Welcome In Drop-in Centre:
Hygiene products, Grocery gift cards ($20-25), comforters, quilts Bath towels, Coffee whitener, Gloves, Winter hats, scarves, Shoelaces, Hand warmers, Beans (kidney, black, pork & beans, chickpeas) Broth (chicken, beef, vegetable) Fruit (pineapple (sliced or crushed), fruit cocktail, peaches) meat, Vegetables (tomatoes (diced, crushed, paste), beans (green and yellow), corn, lentils, peas, Cranberry sauce, Soup (cans, cups, mix) Ready-to-eat packaged rice, Breadcrumbs, Cereal, oatmeal, Coffee whitener Condiments, Crackers, Fruits and Vegetables Gravy base/mix Instant noodles Cooking oil (olive, vegetable, canola) Peanut butter Jam Honey, Spices, Stuffing, Sugar, Tea, Coffee (instant & regular) Pancake syrup, Vinegar (balsamic, regular) Meal replacement (i.e. Ensure, Boost) Kraft Dinner, Bleach, Pine Sol, Disposable gloves, All purpose cleaner, Windex Paper plates & bowls, Plastic utensils, Socks (new) Underwear (new) Workboots, Bath towels, Office supplies
Food4Kids Guelph:
Normally it provides weekend food bags for children. With schools closed, F4K is now mailing grocery gift cards to families to help them purchase food. Monetary donations are needed to continue funding these grocery gift cards.
Kids Help Phone Online:
Accepting both English and bilingual (English and French) applications to volunteer. This volunteer position will be remote, meaning that you can participate from anywhere in Canada as long as you have a strong, reliable internet connection. Becoming a Crisis Responder is simple:
Step 1: Fill out the online application, which should take approximately 30 minutes.
Step 2: If selected for training, obtain and successfully get a Vulnerable Sector Check (don’t worry, we’ll tell you how to do this!)
Step 3: Complete the 36-hour online training
Step 4: Sign the Crisis Responder Agreement, which includes our Code of Conduct and Privacy Policy
Step 5: Take your first shift and start supporting young people in Canada!
Children’s Foundation:
Fresh Food for Kids – Emergency Food Relief Initiative. The Children’s Foundation in partnership with other local organizations has created a temporary emergency support program called Fresh Food for Kids which will provide nutritious food to local children and youth in need in Dufferin, Wellington, and Guelph.
We have partnered with Market Fresh Guelph, Crown Dairy (Ontario Student Nutrition Services), The Seed, Food4Kids Guelph, and local food banks to bring food to local children and youth who need it across Dufferin, Wellington, and Guelph.
These food baskets will help to provide nutritious food similar to what would be provided through a Food & Friends nutrition program at a school. While children and youth are schooling from home, and are not able to access their usual student nutrition program, our goal is to continue bringing healthy food to hungry minds.
Community Living Guelph Wellington:
Gloves, Masks, Face shields, gowns for frontline staff. Disinfectant and Sanitizer, both for frontline and for those who live independently. Food donations (sauces for cooking, kraft dinner, salad dressings, potatoes, canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned pasta, canned soups/stews).
Financial contributions if you have the means, so we can continue to provide food for those living independently, who are food insecure, or to also appreciate the staff and the adults with developmental disabilities that we support, for their diligence, perseverance and strength during these uncertain times.
We support adults with developmental disabilities across Guelph and Wellington County. Our residential services, while essential services, do not receive the same PPE support, at this time, as medical and health care facilities. CLGW offers a Grocery Assistance Program for those in Supported Independent Living – food donations will support those in the community who experience food insecurity in their increasingly tight budgets.
Local Restaurants
Here is a list of some local restaurants (our favourites) that are OPEN FOR BUSINESS and offering take out/delivery and some dine-in options:
- Tomme Cheese Shoppe
- Royal Electric
- Baker St
- Atmosphere
- Dianas Downtown
- Eric the Baker
- Cadence Vegetarian Restaurant
- Park Grocery
- Robusta
- Na Has
- Refresh
- La Reina
- Grassroots Eatery
- Lucky Belly
- Greek Garden
- Market Fresh
- Gin Mill
- Trotters Butcher
- Wellington Cakes
- Wellington Brewery
- Royal City Brewery
- Fixed Gear Guelph
- Dixons Distillery
- Spring Mill
Local Shops
Here is a list of some local shops offering online shopping and curbside pick up. Please consider popping into these and other stores around Guelph and show your smiling eyes!:
