Burnaby, New West Tim Hortons raise $6K for residential school survivors

Turns out, Burnaby and New Westminster love their donuts.

So much so, that local residents' generous appetites last weekend benefited survivors of the former Canadian residential school system.

A total of 23 Tim Hortons locations across the two Metro Vancouver communities raised a combined $5,885 for the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, the Orange Shirt Society and other Indigenous-led non-profit organizations.

The money came from 100 per cent of Orange Sprinkle Donut sales on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 — the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation long weekend.

The baked good was the classic Tim Hortons vanilla dip donut topped with orange sprinkles. 

"Donations play a crucial role in supporting services that often receive limited funding, such as Resolution Health Support Workers, Cultural Support Providers and Elders Services and the Trauma Informed Cultural Support program," said Angela White, executive director of the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, in a news release on Thursday, Oct. 5.

She noted the money is "a testament to the power of community and collaboration."

"By contributing to the campaign, you enable us to expand our reach and fulfill more requests, making a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve. Your generosity directly translates into more opportunities for healing, empowerment, and justice within our community."

Burnaby's and New West's contribution was from a nation-wide total of more than $1 million and nearly $112,000 in B.C.

Tim Hortons' Orange Sprinkle Donuts have now collected more than $3.6 million for Indigenous groups since 2021.