Think Turkey announces recipients of first-ever Wishbone Awards

Think Turkey announced the first-ever recipients of the 2023 Wishbone Awards this week. Launched in response to rising food insecurity in Canada, the awards program recognizes and supports people who help put holiday meals on the table for those in need.

Nominations were open nationally from November 2 to 15, 2023, inviting Canadians to share the story of someone from their community who helps fight food insecurity. Eight recipients have been selected and will be recognized with a Wishbone Award and a $2,500 grant to help fund their 2023 holiday community efforts.

“From hand-delivering hundreds of turkeys to dedicating their holidays to hosting a community dinner, these eight selfless heroes go above and beyond each year to spread holiday cheer in their communities,” said Darren Ference, Chair, Turkey Farmers of Canada. “We were incredibly moved by the Wishbone Award recipients’ stories and are honoured to contribute to their holiday initiatives at a time when Canadians need it most.”

Among the first honourees are Mike and Deanna Diab, founders of Talking Over Turkey, which has donated thousands of turkey dinners within the Windsor-Essex community, and Raymond Carignan, president of the Fondation d’Entraide de Brossard, Quebec, who works during the holidays and year-round to provide meals to students and community members.

The full list of 2023 Wishbone Award recipients includes: Barb Vandenbor and Ashley Walter of BigDoor from Walkerton, Ont.; David and Jean Anderson from Minto, Ont.; Demetre Karountzos of No One Eats Alone Christmas Dinner from Creston, B.C.; Melissa Bain of Food For Life from Burlington, Ont.; Mike and Deanna Diab of Talking Over Turkey from Windsor-Essex, Ont.; Peggy Terry and Cortney Barber of Neighbours in Need from St. John’s, Nfld.; Raymond Carignan of Fondation d’Entraide de Brossard from Brossard, Que.; and Sharmane Hindbo from Caroline, Alta.

“We hope the stories of these outstanding individuals inspire even more Canadians to pull together to make people’s holiday wishes come true,” says Mark Hubert, president and CEO of Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors.

The Wishbone Awards are part of The Wishbone Project, a charitable initiative launched in 2020 by Canada’s turkey farmers and processors to give back to communities across Canada through foods and funds. Since its launch, The Wishbone Project has raised over $240,000, empowering local non-profits, charities, and community heroes to combat food insecurity.

In addition to the $20,000 in Wishbone grants awarded to recipients, Think Turkey will be donating $10,000 to Food Banks Canada.

For more information on the Wishbone Awards and to read the stories of all eight 2023 recipients, visit ThinkTurkey.ca/Wishbone.