Local non-profits in Burlington, Ontario, are working together today, January 26, 2026, to offer free snow shoveling and meal deliveries for seniors and people with disabilities. Following a major winter storm that dumped up to 40 centimetres of snow, groups like Halton Community Services and Links2Care are helping residents who are snowed in and unable to clear windrows left by plows. The effort aims to ensure vulnerable people can get out of their houses and have access to food while the city recovers.
The heavy snow on Jan. 25 led regional school boards to close schools on Monday, Jan. 26, and prompted closures and service impacts at several city recreation facilities. While the City of Burlington is focused on plowing main roads and managing a city-run windrow-clearing program, many residents are struggling with large windrows at the end of their driveways left by municipal plows. Volunteer groups are concentrating on clearing walkways in high-demand pockets such as Aldershot and The Orchard to reduce fall risk and ensure emergency crews can reach homes if needed.
The Burlington Food Bank and local meal programs reported roughly a 30 per cent increase in requests for help this morning, according to a Burlington food support coordinator. Because many seniors cannot safely leave their homes to get groceries, volunteers are delivering ready-to-eat meals and conducting wellness checks. The support is intended to help the city’s roughly 35,000 seniors avoid being cut off from the community during the cleanup.
Residents who need help with shoveling or food deliveries can call 311 or visit the Halton Community Services website to be added to the priority list. Volunteer sign-up guidance from the coordinating groups requests volunteers be at least 16 years old and, where possible, bring their own shovel and transportation; high school students may be eligible to earn community involvement hours for participating.
