Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Grey Bruce is asking people to open their hearts and wallets tomorrow on GivingTuesday to support a one-day, $5000 campaign to kickstart a unique social enterprise for the benefit of clients and the community.

The flash-fundraiser is for a new commercial-grade kitchen and catering business at CMHA. Fresh Roots Café and Catering will provide a supportive setting where as many as 12 people with lived experience of a mental illness will work under the guidance of CMHA staff.

While many people living with a mental illness are typically excluded from the mainstream economy, participants in this CMHA program will receive an income as they prepare nutritious foods and make and sell homemade jams and sauces from CMHA's community gardens.

The initiative is designed to build food skills, reduce social isolation, and increase access to healthy food, while connecting people to other community-based resources including health, legal, and housing services.

The not-for profit café and catering operation also allows the public to support the CMHA and raise awareness about mental health and addictions just by visiting for lunch or buying catering services.

Fresh Roots Café and Catering will be located beside CMHA Grey Bruce's Owen Sound office (1024 2nd Ave. E.).

This one-day fundraiser is part of a larger $30,000 campaign goal for the project.

If you'd like to help, donations to can be made:

· online at www.cmhagb.org

· by calling the branch at 519-371-3642

· in person at CMHA Grey-Bruce, 1024 2nd Avenue East Owen Sound, ON

"It's just a single day where we're asking people to donate what they can to help us complete our dream kitchen," said Claude Anderson, CEO, CMHA Grey Bruce. "Kitchens are often considered to be the heart of every home. And for our staff, volunteers and members, this kitchen will be no exception."

GivingTuesday is a global movement for giving and volunteering and takes places after Black Friday, one of the busiest shopping days of the year. GivingTuesday opens the holiday season and unites charities, companies and individuals in the spirit of giving.

source: media release, Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce