Envision Financial has launched a new community program to raise food, funds and awareness for food banks, including the one operated by Hope Community Services.
To kick off The Full Cupboard, the credit union is making a $5,000 donation to Food Banks BC and $1,000 donations to each of the 11 food banks in the 10 communities where Envision operates – resulting in a total investment of $16,000.
“The statistics speak to the staggering need for an increased focus on supporting our local food banks,” said Envision Financial president Shelley Besse. “In the past five years, there has been a 23 per cent increase in the number of people using food banks in B.C. Envision Financial has a long history of supporting food banks with our funds as well as through our annual employee volunteer service week. The Full Cupboard deepens our commitment to our community food banks and reiterates our desire to give back in a substantial way in the fight against hunger.”
Following the success of Feed the Valley, the signature cause of Valley First, Envision Financial’s regional partner in the Okanagan, Similkameen and Thompson valleys, The Full Cupboard was created as a long-term community investment program at Envision Financial and will run in conjunction with the organization’s already well-established community support initiatives.
“A majority of our donations come in during the Christmas season and have to last all year,” said Maclynne Bourquin of Hope Community Services. “When that runs out we turn our efforts to fundraising. The Full Cupboard, and other corporate programs like it, help us bring in that much needed support throughout the year so that we can focus on what we do best—helping people.”
Envision Financial has committed to raising at least $1 million for local food banks over the next 10 years.
Anyone who wishes to support The Full Cupboard program can donate non-perishable food items or make cash donations at the local Envision Financial branch. Cash donations of $20 or more are tax-deductible and can be made as one-time contributions, through regular, pre-authorized payments or online at http://www.foodbanksbc.com/get-involved/thefullcupboard.