About

We’re a handful of volunteers who created this free service to help bring together new Canadian families and established Canadian families for an evening of conversation.

New Canadians are a vibrant part of our economy, culture and country, and many yearn to learn more about current Canadians’ customs and backgrounds. And this is increasingly important. In 2017, according to Statistics Canada, we’ll have the highest percentage of non-Canadian born Canadians ever – beating the 1910 peak at the height of our immigration boom.

We believe that more conversations will lead to more friendship and understanding. This site is designed to be an easy way to connect those new and established Canadian families to enable those shared dinner conversations.

This started with a prototyping in Toronto for Thanksgiving that was hugely successful!

We’re now rolling out an ongoing service in Toronto, and hope to expand to other cities for the Christmas holidays!

You can contact us at sharethanksgivingdinner@gmail.com

Who we are

Parker Mitchell

I used to run Engineers Without Borders. Now I dream up crazy ideas at parkermitchell.com.

I wanted to create this for a bunch of reasons. First, I’ve had the chance to be so welcomed by so many families that I’ve stayed with in a dozen countries around the world, and I wanted Canada to reflect some of that generosity. I’ve also found, whenever I’ve had the time time to chat with new immigrants, that I’m moved by their stories, that it makes me prouder to be Canadian, and it reminds me how small the world is and how similar we all are, deep down.

I’ve worked with Immigrant settlement as the former co-chair of the North York Community House, and know how hard new immigrants are working to contribute to Canada. And I thought that such a connecting service would be great for all involved.

Kyle Baptista
I’m a designer based in Toronto, currently enthralled with seeking out creative outlets to pursue my passion for a better world. Recently I stepped away from my role as Creative Director at Engineers Without Borders Canada.

A simple, thoughtful gesture is something that sticks with you. When Parker approached me with this idea, I had a reaction that is likely similar to yours. “Of course!” What a wonderfully simple gesture that we can take to create a lasting memory and impression of this wonderful city and beautiful country.

I’m happy to help facilitate this one small gesture. Let it catalyze countless others. Thank you.