After JP Brosseau announced it was looking to offer turkey dinners to about two dozen families in need, it was flooded with messages from others seeking help.
Brosseau, who hails from Chelmsford’s network in Greater Sudbury, is running to raise more cash for others who have approached him.
It all started with a Facebook post on Dec. 2. Brosseau said he needs to give 25 families in need a frozen turkey, a bag of chips, a can of stuffing, a bag of carrots, a turnip and a can of cranberry sauce.
All were purchased with his own money.
“It exploded,” he said.
“There were a lot of other people who needed it. My phone explodes. It’s crazy. “
Fortunately, some messages also came from other people who wanted to help. Brosseau estimates about $6,000 was received, while others donated food.
Poulin Potatoes donated 40 10-pound bags of russet potatoes for more than $300.
After JP Brosseau posted that he wanted to provide turkey dinners for about two dozen needy families, he has been overwhelmed with messages from people seeking help. (Angela Gemmill/CTV News)
“As costs go up for families, we like to do it in the most productive way possible,” said Danika Poulin, the office’s deputy director.
“We are a very warm family and, as a family business for five generations, we know how complicated it can be to buy things these days. We like to give everything we can.
Brosseau has already distributed 80 of its turkey meal packages and requests continue to come in. He said he buys 20 at a time.
“I have enough space to house 20 turkeys at a time and then I have the other stuff in my back room,” he said.
“That’s how I got to do it because I only have so much room.”
He estimates that with all the donations he would be worth being able to help about 200 families during the holiday season.
Brosseau’s giving spirit started last spring when he built an entrance stand to raffle off for a local charity. After losing two close family members recently, he wanted to honour them with another charitable initiative.
“A lot of this is for my daughter (Madison) and my uncle (Ray),” he said.
“My uncle was a very generous person. He went out of his way to make sure everyone had business. He made sure you had business and didn’t worry about yourself and was a huge inspiration in my life.
Brosseau expects this to be an annual effort. He added that his uncle would be very proud of his selfless efforts for others.
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