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Off the Wheaten Path's fortune cookies (photo by Liam Verster)
By Liam Verster
Profits go to support local charities

Local bakery selling fortune cookies as fundraiser for non-profits

Jan 31, 2021 | 5:00 AM

Off the Wheaten Path, a local vegan gluten-free bakery, is selling hand-baked personalized fortune cookies, with all the profits going towards Helping Hands of Grande Prairie.

The fundraising campaign was launched on January 14, and over $400 has been raised for the non-profit through cookie sales so far.

Owner Dawn Merrywick-Smith says she came up with the idea of selling a product to raise money for charity in December, and then chose to support Helping Hands, as they have close ties with the group.

“Honestly, the lady that runs Helping Hands, Jennifer, she’s a Turbo Driver of ours that delivers to our restaurant and we love her and we just love what Helping Hands stands for,” says Merrywick-Smith.

She says this campaign is the first of several fundraisers Off the Wheaten Path plans for the year.

“We thought we’d start with Helping Hands, and then rotate with maybe Bandaged Paws and just do a little bit of research. We thought we’d ask around and see what other local non-profits could benefit. So we’re just, you know, trying to do our part.”

Merrywick-Smith adds this project is just one of the small ways loca businesses can support non-profits and charities in the area, most of which have been struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a written statement, Helping Hands of Grande Prairie says the funds raised through this campaign will go toward helping members of the community who are struggling to access health, fresh food options. Helping Hands also runs back to school supply programs, holds winter clothing drives and donates them to people in need, and collects household items for families who lost everything and are starting over.

Off the Wheaten Path’s fortune cookie fundraiser for Helping Hands of Grande Prairie runs until Valentines Day.

by Liam Verster