A Grand Garden Affair: Bella Estate Gardens Raises $23,000 for Food Access in North Durham
We won’t be forgetting this experience anytime soon.
On Sunday, June 28, guests gathered at Bella Estate Gardens in Sunderland for A Grand Garden Affair, an afternoon of live entertainment, exceptional food, meaningful conversation, and community connection—all in support of food access across North Durham.
Surrounded by blooming flowers and panoramic country vistas, friends, supporters, and community champions came together around a shared belief: that everyone deserves access to good, nourishing food.
The event was the culmination of months of planning by Mimma, Miro, Anita, and Chris, who opened their property and hearts to support our work. After learning about TNDF last year, Mimma felt a deep connection to our mission and reached out with an idea: what if she hosted a fundraiser to help strengthen food access in our community?
What followed exceeded anything we could have imagined.
An Extraordinary Gift
Every donation matters. Every volunteer hour matters. Every food drive, fundraiser, and contribution helps strengthen our community.
At the same time, it’s hard to overstate the impact of a gift of this size.
Together, guests, supporters, sponsors, and contributors raised $23,000 in support of TNDF’s food access programs.
To put that impact into perspective, TNDF’s annual food budget across all programs is approximately $106,000. The funds raised through A Grand Garden Affair represent nearly a quarter of that amount and will help relieve significant pressure as we continue responding to growing demand for food support.
These funds will help sustain programs including:
More importantly, they will help ensure that community members continue to have access to the food, connection, and support they need.
A Shared Belief
What stood out most throughout the evening was not simply the generosity of the donations, but the spirit behind them.
Many of the guests who attended do not live in North Durham. Yet they chose to learn about our work, connect with our mission, and invest in the wellbeing of our community.
Food has a unique ability to bring people together. It connects us to one another, to the land, and to the places we call home. A Grand Garden Affair served as a powerful reminder that while our work is local, the values behind it resonate far beyond municipal boundaries.
At its heart, the evening was a celebration of community, generosity, and the belief that good food should be accessible to all.
Our Deepest Thanks
This event would not have been possible without the vision, generosity, and leadership of Mimma, Miro, Anita, and Chris.
From the earliest planning conversations to the final guest departure, they invested countless hours, thoughtful details, and extraordinary care into creating a truly memorable experience.
Bella Estate Gardens is a reflection of the family’s dedication and creativity. Every corner of the property has been carefully tended, creating a space that feels both welcoming and remarkable. From the sweeping views of rolling hills to the charming chapel, covered pavilion, and serene pond, guests were immersed in a setting that encouraged connection, conversation, and appreciation for the beauty of the countryside.
We are deeply grateful that they chose to share such a special place with us and for the trust they placed in our organization.
Their commitment and generosity transformed an idea into an event that will have a lasting impact on food access in our community.
Recognizing Our Supporters
One of the most inspiring parts of the evening was seeing so many individuals and businesses contribute in meaningful ways.
We would like to extend special recognition to:
Neil and Carolyn Turnbull of Hedgerow Farm for the beautiful peonies that adorned the tables throughout the evening. Their flowers added warmth, beauty, and a sense of celebration to an already remarkable gathering.
Encore Catering, whose incredible menu was the talk of the party, and donated $3,000, bringing us past our original goal of $20,000.
We are equally grateful to the many businesses, donors, sponsors, auction contributors, and community supporters who donated items, experiences, services, and financial contributions.
Donors
- The Dolphy and Eva Schwartz Foundation
- The Virtual Solutions Inc
- The Canadian Council for Construction Unions
- SJ Auto Services
Event Florals
Silent Auction
- Skin Prick
- La Focaccia Queen
- Mia Falkenstein Yoga
- Hy-Hope Farm
- Adonia Jewellers
- Alex Lombardi, RE/MAX
- Magdalena Arcos, RE/MAX
- Kozlik's Canadian Mustard
- Stella Maydossian
- The Boxed Butcher
- Pars Physio Wellness
- Plump Farm
- Stella Maydossian
- Bruno's Fine Foods
- Dochas Wines & Spirits
Other
- MC Tony Bertini
- MPP of Mississauga-Lakeshore, Rudy Cuzzetto
- Regional Councillor, Cria Pettingil
Mimma, Miro, Anita, Chris, and their many friends who helped organize, set up, run, and clean up the event
Every contribution helped transform an afternoon of generosity into lasting impact for our community.
Looking Ahead
While the funds raised through A Grand Garden Affair will make a significant difference, what stays with us most is the reminder that meaningful change happens because people choose to come together.
Whether through a donation, a food drive, a fundraiser, volunteer time, or simply sharing our work with others, every act of support strengthens our community.
A Grand Garden Affair showed what’s possible when people gather around a shared table and a shared purpose.
To everyone who helped make the evening possible: thank you.
We are profoundly grateful for your belief in our work, and in the community we are privileged to serve 💛
