Key Takeaways
- Staples Canada launched the limited‑edition “Even the Odds Care Cookie” on May 4, 2026, with proceeds supporting MAP, Canada’s largest health‑equity research centre.
- The Care Cookie is baked by Aurora‑based Cookie It Up and sells for $4.99 in‑store or online; every purchase funds MAP’s health‑equity programs.
- Since 2021, the Even the Odds partnership has raised over $9 million, enabling the expansion of initiatives such as APPLE Schools, Navigator, Healthy Food Prescription, and Our Healthbox.
- Customers can also donate at checkout or become ongoing supporters via staples.ca/eventheodds; the cookie is available while supplies last from May 3 to June 14, 2026.
- MAP’s programs tackle root causes of health inequity—food insecurity, lack of care access, and under‑resourced communities—by delivering evidence‑based solutions across Canada.
- Staples Canada operates close to 300 stores nationwide and remains committed to community impact through partnerships like Even the Odds.
Overview of the Care Cookie Launch
Staples Canada unveiled the “Even the Odds Care Cookie” on May 4, 2026, a limited‑edition treat now available in all Staples locations across the country and online at staples.ca. Priced at $4.99 per cookie, the product was created specifically to generate funds for MAP (St. Michael’s Hospital), the nation’s leading health‑equity research centre. The launch coincides with a broader donation window that runs from May 3 through June 14, during which shoppers can also contribute directly at checkout or via the Staples website. By turning a everyday snack into a vehicle for philanthropy, Staples aims to make giving back simple, accessible, and enjoyable for Canadians from coast to coast.
Background of the Even the Odds Partnership
Since its inception in 2021, the Even the Odds initiative has been Staples Canada’s flagship community‑investment program, partnering with MAP to address systemic health disparities. To date, the collaboration has raised more than $9 million, which has been directed toward evidence‑based health programs that target the social determinants of health. This sustained financial support has allowed MAP to scale its interventions, expand into new provinces, and deepen its impact on underserved populations. The Care Cookie represents the latest evolution of this partnership, offering a tangible, consumer‑friendly way for shoppers to contribute to the cause with each purchase.
Statement from Staples Canada Leadership
Adrian Lang, Chief People and Legal Officer at Staples Canada, emphasized the significance of the new offering: “Health inequity touches far too many people across Canada, and through Even the Odds, Staples and our customers are helping to change that. The Care Cookie turns a simple, everyday purchase into real impact—because when our customers choose to support this initiative, they’re directly funding programs that improve lives and are making a meaningful difference in their communities.” Lang’s comments underscore Staples’ commitment to leveraging its retail platform for social good, aligning business operations with measurable health‑equity outcomes.
Details About the Care Cookie
The Care Cookie was developed in partnership with Cookie It Up, a Canadian bakery based in Aurora, Ontario. Crafted to serve as a national fundraising vehicle, the cookie combines quality ingredients with a purpose‑driven mission. Each $4.99 sale channels proceeds directly into MAP’s full suite of health‑equity programs, ensuring that every bite contributes to tangible community benefits. By collaborating with a local bakery, Staples also highlights its support for Canadian entrepreneurship while delivering a product that resonates with consumers seeking both taste and social impact.
MAP’s Perspective and Impact
Dr. Stephen Hwang, MAP’s director and Canada Research Chair in Homelessness, Housing and Health, expressed gratitude for the partnership: “We are so proud and grateful to partner with Staples Canada on this national program. Thanks to Even the Odds, MAP has been able to scale our evidence‑backed programs to reach communities from coast to coast. This kind of impact never would have been possible without the incredible support of Staples associates, vendors and customers across the country.” Dr. Hwang’s remarks highlight how corporate collaboration amplifies MAP’s research‑driven interventions, extending their reach to populations that face systemic barriers to health.
MAP’s Programs Described
The funds generated by the Care Cookie support several flagship MAP initiatives:
- Navigator – an innovative service that assists people experiencing homelessness in navigating post‑hospitalization recovery, reducing readmissions and improving health outcomes.
- APPLE Schools – an award‑winning health promotion initiative that creates healthier school environments for children in underserved communities, focusing on nutrition, physical activity, and mental well‑being.
- Healthy Food Prescription – a landmark research trial that tests whether physician‑prescribed grocery vouchers can alleviate food insecurity and improve chronic disease management among low‑income patients with diabetes.
- Our Healthbox – “smart” vending machines placed in high‑need locations that dispense free health supplies, HIV self‑tests, warm socks, hygiene products, and other essentials to individuals facing major barriers to care.
Together, these programs address the root causes of health inequity—food insecurity, limited access to care, and community under‑investment—through scalable, evidence‑based solutions.
How Canadians Can Participate
Staples outlines three straightforward ways for shoppers to support Even the Odds:
- Buy a Care Cookie – available in‑store at any Staples Canada location or online at staples.ca for $4.99.
- Make a donation at checkout – customers can add a contribution of any amount when paying for their purchases, either in‑store or via the website.
- Become an ongoing supporter – by visiting staples.ca/eventheodds, individuals can set up recurring donations to sustain MAP’s programs over the long term.
These options ensure that support can match varying levels of engagement, from a single treat purchase to sustained philanthropic commitment.
Availability and Duration
The Care Cookie will be offered while supplies last, with the promotional donation period running from May 3 through June 14, 2026. Staples encourages customers to visit their local store to learn more about the Even the Odds campaign, view informational materials about MAP’s impact, and discover additional ways to get involved. For those unable to visit in person, the Staples website provides a comprehensive overview of the initiative, program details, and easy pathways to donate or purchase the cookie online.
About MAP
The MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, located at St. Michael’s Hospital within Unity Health Toronto, is Canada’s largest research centre dedicated to health equity and the social determinants of health. For over 25 years, MAP has partnered with communities, policymakers, and healthcare providers to develop and implement evidence‑driven programs and policies that break cycles of socioeconomic exclusion and poor health. Internationally recognized for its groundbreaking science, MAP focuses on issues such as homelessness, unequal access to healthcare and medication, and the long‑term effects of childhood poverty, striving to create healthier, more equitable communities nationwide.
About Staples Canada
Staples Canada, headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, is a leading provider of office supplies, technology, and business solutions, serving parents, teachers, businesses, and entrepreneurs across the country. With a network of close to 300 stores, an e‑commerce platform at staples.ca, and specialized services such as Staples Print, Staples Studio co‑working spaces, and a suite of B2B brands (including Staples Preferred, Staples Professional, Supreme Office Supplies and Furniture, Denis Office Supplies, and Monarch Office Supply Inc.), Staples is committed to delivering easy, solution‑focused experiences. Through partnerships like Even the Odds, the company demonstrates its dedication to the communities it serves, leveraging its retail footprint to advance health equity and social well‑being. For more information, visit staples.ca or follow @StaplesCanada on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.