At Gwillimdale Farms, we believe that when a community comes together, incredible things can happen. Behind every shared meal, warm conversation, or helping hand lies the power of connection, the kind that builds resilience and inspires hope. That’s why we’re proud to celebrate a milestone that embodies these very values: WOW Living’s 20th Anniversary of A Hand Up Clothing Room and 5th Anniversary of The Out of the Cold Café.
These programs have become a lifeline for so many in our community, offering warmth, dignity, and opportunity to those who need it most. The anniversary is more than a celebration of years; it’s a celebration of the lives touched, the partnerships built, and the compassion that fuels every act of kindness.
A Celebration of Service and Stories
On October 4th, the entire community was invited to come out and celebrate with WOW Living, and partner organizations from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Guests had the opportunity to tour the Community Hub, explore the programs, and learn about the vital services that make such a difference in people’s lives every day.
Families brought their children there was kid-friendly passports that they got stamped at different locations around the Hub. Each stop told a story of community impact, and every completed passport earned a chance to win a prize!
At 11:00 a.m., everyone gathered in the event space for a special time of recognition and reflection, celebrating the many individuals and organizations who have helped WOW Living grow. Then, at 12:00 p.m., the festivities continued outdoors with a community BBQ in the courtyard, a time to connect, share stories, and celebrate what can be achieved when a community supports one another.
Gwillimdale Farms Shows Support
WOW Living is more than an organization; it’s a movement of compassion and care. The A Hand Up Clothing Room has provided dignity through affordable clothing for two decades, while The Out of the Cold Café has offered warmth, meals, and community connection for five years. Together, these programs provide not just necessities, but hope, giving people living in poverty the tools and resources they need to build stability and resilience.
As part of the anniversary celebration, Gwillimdale Farms was proud to take part as one of the passport stations, where community members stopped by to learn more about who we are and what we do. Our team shared the story of how we grow, pack, and ship fresh root vegetables right here in Bradford and across Ontario, helping to nourish families with fresh, flavourful, and nutritious produce. We also had the opportunity to talk about our ongoing connection with WOW Living and what it means to us to be a part of their incredible mission.
For the past two years, Gwillimdale Farms has been a Monthly Keyholder, sponsoring The Out of the Cold Café with a $3,000 monthly contribution, covering one month of rent and helping keep the café’s doors open to serve 25–70+ individuals each day. Through this partnership, we’re able to help ensure that everyone in our community has access to comfort, connection, and care.
As WOW Living founder Jodi Greenstreet shared, “The goal of this event is to have a visual representation of the incredible support that WOW Living has felt over the years.” This celebration beautifully captured that vision, a moment where gratitude, partnership, and purpose came together to remind us all what community truly means.
Together, We Grow Stronger
At Gwillimdale Farms, giving back isn’t just something we do, it’s part of who we are. Just as we nurture the land that sustains us, we’re dedicated to nurturing the community that surrounds us. Supporting organizations like WOW Living ensures that growth extends beyond the fields, reaching the hearts and homes of the people who make this community so special.
Join us in celebrating WOW Living’s remarkable journey, and in continuing to build a future rooted in compassion, dignity, and care.
Visit wow-living.ca to learn more about their programs or to get involved as a volunteer, donor, or partner. Visit our full blog page to see how we’re getting involved. Together, we can keep growing a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.