Passport to Savings fundraiser returns for 12th year

Now in its 12th year, the annual Passport to Savings fundraiser supports the work done for those in need by Stratford House of Blessing, the Kiwanis Club of Stratford and Simple Dreams Ministries. Pictured from left are House of Blessing resource coordinator Aaron Balzer, House of Blessing executive director Eva Hayes, Kiwanis Club of Stratford representative Barb Muir and Simple Dreams Ministries cofounder Richard Kneider at the House of Blessing food bank.

Though there are plenty of reasons to buy a Passport to Savings this year, be it the thousands of dollars in deals contained within or supporting the numerous local businesses offering those deals, perhaps the best reason to make that $50 purchase is to give back to three local organizations dedicated to helping area residents in need.

Stratford House of Blessing, Simple Dreams Ministries and the Kiwanis Club of Stratford have relied on the annual sale of Passports to Savings as a key fundraiser in support of their work for 12 years. The three organizations split the proceeds equally and they use that money to help the people they serve.

“It originated with the Stratford House of Blessing way back in the day and then the other organizations came onboard,” House of Blessing executive director Eva Hayes said. “It is a significant fundraiser for each of us. It’s very beneficial to be part of this whole process. Lots of people love to come in – they’re phoning already – looking for the passports. People are just waiting for them because they give them for Christmas gifts, so it’s really popular and it’s a really great fundraiser for all of us.”

Last year, Passport to Savings brought in nearly $60,000 total, resulting in about $19,000 raised for each of the three organizations.

“That’s significant,” Hayes said of the impact the fundraiser has on House of Blessing’s food bank operations and other programming. “That just helps us keep functioning really. It keeps food on people’s tables.”

“The need is rising,” added House of Blessing resource coordinator Aaron Balzer. “Every year it’s going up and up. More and more people in need are facing food insecurity and that’s across Canada, but certainly we’re seeing it here in our community. The need is rising, so the need for funds is rising and a fundraiser like this is hugely beneficial.”

Hayes said the number of households accessing the House of Blessing food bank has risen by 50 per cent over last year and by 165 per cent since 2021.

Barb Muir of the Kiwanis Club of Stratford said the money raised through Passport to Savings to help the club respond to calls for support from the community, whether it’s to help with the purchase of assistive devices, glasses, dentures or other necessities. The club also contributes to numerous projects in the community, mainly those involving families and children.

Similarly, Richard Kneider of Simple Dreams says his organization is receiving calls not only from individuals in need of support, but also from other organizations reaching out for help supporting the people they serve.

“We deal with the Emily Murphy Centre, Optimism Place, Shelterlink and just people who are reaching out,” Kneider said. “The biggest thing we give away on a regular basis is beds. The number of people who are sleeping on the floor and the number of stories that you get, you’d just shake your head in disbelief.”

Some of the funds raised through this program support Simple Dreams’ annual Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway and the To Stratford With Love Christmas community dinner, two longstanding initiatives that aim to provide free holiday meals for those who might not otherwise get them.

This year, the Passport to Savings includes coupons and deals from more than 200 local businesses, not just in Stratford but throughout the surrounding area.

“The wonderful thing about the book is it doesn’t cost the merchant anything to be in the book,” Muir said. “What they do is they offer (a deal) and that ends up being their contribution to the charities.”

“They offer a discount of some sort, but the reality of it is, it’s win-win-win for everybody,” Kneider added. “For the merchant because it draws business in and for the three organizations because it helps financially for the different things each one of the organizations do. And especially, for the end user; I always have it in my back pocket. There are so many things. A lot of people get the passport because of the restaurants, but there’s so many other businesses that are involved.”

The Passports to Savings, which cots $50 each, are expected to be ready by mid-November. They can be purchased at Jiffy Lube Stratford, the Stratford Farmers’ Market, the Stratford Home Furniture store and warehouse, Marlin Travel in Stratford, the Your Neighourhood Credit Union in Stratford and Mitchell, the Little Falls Artisan Market in St. Marys, and at the Stratford House of Blessing either in person or online at www.shob.org/passport-to-savings.