McBride’s Bakery Does It Again
A Sweet Show of Community Support
MEDICINE HAT - If you live in Medicine Hat, you already know that McBride’s Bakery is more than just a place to get a good doughnut. It is a place where community comes first.
And this week, they proved it once again.
McBride’s held a fundraiser to help the family of the young boy who tragically drowned at Echo Dale Park. This fundraiser was originally set to support Pride until the tragedy happened; they quickly shifted their target and made the affected family the beneficiary. The community was heartbroken by the news, and McBride’s wanted to do something to help.
The response was nothing short of incredible.
By 11 a.m., the bakery had already blown past their previous record of $6,500 from a single fundraiser. And then the doughnuts ran out. They were completely sold out. People wanted to show their support, and they showed up in a big way.
Owner Brendan Hillson had to go out and get more supplies just to keep up with the demand. But even then, they could not bake fast enough. The bakery stayed open until 6 p.m., and while they could not sell any more doughnuts, they kept collecting donations from people who wanted to give.
And here is the thing that makes McBride’s special.
All of the sale proceeds go to the family. Not just the profits. Every single dollar. That means Hillson and his team donated their time, their ingredients, and their hard work. They did not keep a penny for themselves.
A Bakery with a Big Heart
This is not the first time McBride’s has stepped up for the community. The owners, Brendan and Carole Hillson, have donated over $30,000 to local causes over the years. They have helped SARC, Mother Theresa School, Meals for Moms, the Community Warmth program, and local families facing hard times .
They even held a fundraiser for the MH Pride Association where all doughnut sales went to support Pride. They also opened their doors for an evening where moms and daughters could come in and bake cinnamon buns and pizza together.
The Hillsons call their approach a "love offensive." They give free coffee and free toast to customers (when there is not a health risk). They support students at the college. They just put love out into the community .
A Voice That Won't Back Down
Brendan Hillson is also known for speaking his mind. And he is not afraid to stand up for what he believes in.
He has been in the news before for his political views. He is a conservative man who has said the UCP is no longer conservative. He recognizes his privilege and uses his voice to speak up for others.
When the UCP government introduced a law that would let school staff tell parents if a student joined a gay-straight alliance, Hillson sent rainbow doughnuts to his MLA's office. The doughnuts said, "It's OK to be gay".
He has also given out buttons that said "Not Danielle" when Danielle Smith ran for premier.
And when some people called for a boycott of his bakery because he let recall petition canvassers use his space? His response was short and to the point. He told them to "bite me".
Standing Together
But here is what matters most. The people of Medicine Hat know what McBride's is all about. The online haters do not live here. They do not know the Hillson family. They do not know how much this bakery gives back.
The community sees the truth. They see a family that gives their time, their money, and their hearts to help others. And when McBride's called on Hatters to support a grieving family, the community answered.
That is what Medicine Hat is all about. We take care of each other and McBride’s Bakery leads the way.
If you want to support a local business that supports this community, stop by McBride’s. Get a ring doughnut. Get an apple fritter. Get a sausage roll. And know that you are supporting people who truly care.
And we do not just say that because they are one of our sponsors, we really love them!
McBride's Bakery is located at 1791 Dunmore Road SE. Give them a call at 403-527-6811
Brendan has his own column on this website, check out his Fully Baked Hot Takes.
