Celebrating Cultural Diversity, One Donut at a Time

The Cause

Frankie D’s Donuts began with a mission to reduce loneliness, one donut at a time. Named after their goofy labradoodle, Frankie D’s was founded in 2020 by Mak Rogers (a queer, non-binary, neurodivergent individual) and their wife, Fia-Lynn Crandall.

Frankie D’s Donuts emerged from Makaylah’s journey of healing after leaving behind a history of trauma and abuse upon moving to Canada in 2016. Struggling with severe depression and PTSD, they found hope in their dog’s unconditional love which ultimately inspired them to connect with their community after many years of isolation and fear.

Recognizing the power of sweet treats to break down barriers, Frankie D’s Donuts was created as a social impact organization to start conversations about mental health. Since their first “Donut Day” in August 2020, they have engaged the Bow Valley community through initiatives focused on mental health awareness and inclusivity. They regularly donate 100% of tips and free products to local nonprofits, and encourage their customers to contribute to their Social Impact fund, supporting community events that help reduce loneliness.

The organization hosts “Donuts and Conversations” events, creating empathetic spaces for deep conversations around important issues. These gatherings have successfully connected diverse community members, fostering understanding and inclusivity. Additionally, their Donut Decorating workshops help local community members to build friendships and engage in mental wellbeing conversations.

In 2023, Frankie D’s was recognized with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award from the Bow Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Community Builder Award from the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

However, recognizing a need for greater cultural inclusion, Frankie D’s aims to launch a new initiative: “Celebrating Cultural Diversity, One Donut at a Time.” This pilot program seeks to co-create a Filipino donut recipe in collaboration with the Filipino community in the Bow Valley.

Through core sessions, creativity workshops, kitchen testing, and a community event, this program will celebrate cultural heritage while addressing mental health stigma & cultivating a deeper understanding of ethnocultural groups.

Our vision extends beyond this pilot; we aspire to create a model for future cultural collaborations, seeking ongoing funding to continue this work quarterly and bringing our community together, one donut at a time.

Who Will it Benefit?

We strive to make an impact to the Filipino community in the Bow Valley as a start. With roughly a thousand Filipinos and many others of Filipino heritage, they make up a significant number of our workforce that uplift the lives of Bow Valley residents; yet, like many immigrant and underserved communities, there is scarcity of culturally-appropriate food for them in the market. Gathering over food is a crucial aspect of many ethnocultural communities. It bridges differences, and fosters connection and wellbeing.

The 2023 Banff Community Social Assessment highlighted the community’s call for more ethnocultural gatherings and access to culturally appropriate food. Approximately 40% of residents in Banff are foreign born, many of whom reported facing mental health challenges. In this report, residents asked for an increase in programs, activities and events which share and celebrate the diversity of communities, cultures and backgrounds. They also asked for new ways, places, and sober spaces to connect with people. Social connection is an integral indicator of visible minorities’ sense of inclusion, as identified by Statistics Canada’s Social Inclusion Indicators for Canada’s Ethnocultural Groups. In the 2019 Inclusion Survey by Bow Valley Immigration Partnership, it was found that while there is a strong sense of welcoming and positive attitude towards immigrants in the community, 26% of immigrants experienced discrimination which is exacerbated by lack of understanding of different cultures in the Bow Valley.

Our project responds directly to these community needs by providing a platform for cultural exchange and support. Our intent is to engage the Filipino community in co-creating a flavor that is close to home, and engage them in a facilitated conversation & donut decorating event for the public to attend to learn and celebrate Filipino culture. Frankie D’s will then feature the flavor on their donut days to spread awareness and appreciation in the community that they now call home. Directly, we foresee making an impact to 30 Filipinos or folks of Filipino heritage. In addition, ticket sales for the event, 100% of tips and a portion of the flavor’s sales on future Frankie D’s Donut Days will be donated to the group’s charity of choice.

This is a pilot program that will allow the community celebrate a diverse range of ethnocultural groups in the Bow Valley, enriching our lives through their unique lenses, culture and flavors.