In a vibrant counterpoint to the so-called most depressing day of the year, the kitchen at Saskatoon's Legion Branch 63 was alive with energy and generosity this past Monday. For the second consecutive year, volunteers gathered for the Blue Monday Sandwich Day, transforming a day associated with winter gloom into a powerful community celebration focused on giving back.
Combating the Winter Blues with Comfort Food
The event, now in its second year, was the brainchild of local food entrepreneur Felicia Fox, owner of Food with Felicia Fox. Fox explained that she wanted to create a positive counterbalance to the difficult post-holiday period in January. "I wanted to do something to counter it for myself, but also give back. And because of my food company, I needed it to be around food," she said. Sandwiches were the perfect vehicle—fun, easy to assemble, and simple to transport to those in need.
This year, approximately 30 volunteers worked from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in a coordinated assembly line at the Spadina Crescent legion hall. The air was filled with laughter and the sound of rustling packaging as teams efficiently built, bagged, labeled, and counted a wide variety of sandwiches, including peanut butter and jelly, egg salad, roast beef, and ham and cheese.
A Community Effort Exceeds Goals
The 2026 event saw significant growth from its inaugural year. While the first gathering produced a commendable 1,200 sandwiches, Fox set an ambitious goal of 2,400 for this year. The community rallied to meet the challenge, with donations of bread and fillings flowing in from sponsors.
Returning food sponsors Park Funeral Home and Hillcrest Funeral Home and Cemetery were joined this year by Clean Bright Cleaning Company, which delivered a truckload of ingredients and brought staff to volunteer. The collective effort created an infectious atmosphere. "If you hear the chatter coming from the kitchen, everybody's up and happy," Fox observed. "They feel like they're giving back to the community. It's a community effort, so you're not in it by yourself."
Seasoned volunteers like Janet Milne and Marie Weschenny worked side-by-side on a well-practiced assembly line, packaging 200 sandwiches by 10:30 a.m. alone.
Sandwiches Delivered to Local Organizations
The thousands of prepared sandwiches were distributed to a network of local community organizations, ensuring the impact of the day extended far beyond the legion walls. Recipients included:
- Saskatoon Indian Métis Friendship Centre
- Riversdale Community Fridge
- Crossroads
- The Bridge Fellowship
- Sanctum Care Group
- EGADZ
Community members were also invited to stop by, make a donation, and enjoy a sandwich along with some entertainment. For Fox, the event's success is a definitive victory over the seasonal slump. "It's like the most depressing day of the year doesn't win because of this," she stated. By replacing the factors of Blue Monday—short daylight, cold weather, and post-holiday debt—with food, laughter, and shared purpose, Saskatoon volunteers crafted a powerful new tradition of January generosity.
