New public vote gives Canadians a say in which community will receive a $100,000 donation and the title of Canada's Kindest Community

TORONTO, Nov. 13, 2026 /CNW/ -- Today, on World Kindness Day, Coca-Cola in Canada announces the return of Canada's Kindest Community, inviting Canadians to nominate communities whose kindness deserves a national spotlight. Now in its third year, the award-winning national program aims to search, celebrate and reward the Canadian community that stands out as the kindest. The winning community will receive the title of Canada's Kindest Community, a $100,000 donation awarded locally through Community Foundations of Canada, and a special Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan stop in 2027.

Nominations are now open and can be submitted online and by scanning QR codes at Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan stops and at participating restaurants and retail locations. Submissions will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on January 1, 2027. An act of kindness can be any gesture, big or small, that makes a positive impact in the community, from sharing a weekly dinner with a neighbour to organizing a food drive for people in need.

New this year, Canadians can help choose the winner!  Starting from January 25, 2027, at 10:00 a.m. through February 7, 2027, at 11:59 p.m., Canadians are encouraged to visit the Coca-Cola Holiday Hub to cast their vote for the community that best represents kindness in action.

Canada's Kindest Community is part of the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan, an annual nationwide holiday event that brings the iconic red Coca-Cola truck, decorated with twinkling lights, to communities across Canada. Joined by Coca-Cola employees, special elves and Santa, the Caravan connects Canadians and delivers moments of optimism and holiday cheer. The Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan began in Canada in 1999 as a single truck decorated with festive lights and has grown into a beloved national tradition that visits communities coast-to-coast. The program is brought to Canadians by Coca-Cola in partnership with Coke Canada Bottling, a family-owned, independent Canadian business.

"Canada's Kindest Community shines a light on local acts of kindness while rallying our customers, employees, and neighbours to recognize and celebrate kindness in their own communities," said Tony Chow, President, Coke Canada Bottling. "As Canada's Local Bottler, we want our communities to be better off because we are part of them. At a time when kindness feels more important than ever, this program celebrates the acts of caring that bring people together and reflect the very best of Canada."

In 2024, Jarvis, Ontario, was the first community in Canada to win the title of Canada's Kindest Community and received a donation to support development of the community's first accessible splash pad at Jarvis Lions Park during its annual Jarvis Light Up celebrations. In 2025, Peachland, British Columbia, was awarded the donation, which supported the Peachland Wellness Centre, Peachland Food Bank and Peachland Community Arts Council. The funding helped cover essential operating costs and strengthen staff and volunteer capacity, supporting access to food and resources, technology support, rapid assistance during the Bald Range wildfire in August 2026, and new arts programming for children and youth.

For full rules and regulations, more information about Canada's Kindest Community, and a complete list of Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan tour locations, visit www.coke.ca/holiday.

About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company's purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Our hydration, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, FUZE, Gold Peak, Honest and Ayataka. Our nutrition, juice, dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and AdeS. We're constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people's lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.coca-colacompany.com and follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.   

About Coke Canada Bottling
Coke Canada Bottling is a family-owned business, with 6,000 diverse employees coast-to-coast. As Canada's local bottler, the company operates in every province through more than 50 sales and distribution centres and five manufacturing facilities. Through its brand partnerships, Coke Canada Bottling proudly makes, moves, and sells the most loved beverages Canadians enjoy including Coca-Cola^®, Diet Coke^®, Coca-Cola^® Zero Sugar, Sprite^®, Fanta^®, Barq's^®, FUZE Iced Tea^®, POWERADE^®, DASANI^®, vitaminwater^®, as well as BODYARMOR, Canada Dry^®, Monster Energy^®, and A&W^®. Visit www.CokeCanada.com or follow on LinkedIn @Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited to learn more.

About Community Foundations of Canada
Community Foundations of Canada (CFC) is a national leadership organization that supports over 200 local community foundations across the country. Through its network, CFC helps drive local solutions to national challenges and build a future where everyone belongs.

SOURCE Coke Canada Bottling Ltd.