Photo: Contributed
A new online fundraiser called Love Local BC is celebrating local businesses while providing support to food banks across B.C. The BCLC initiative brings together local businesses from across the province with the goal of relieving and preventing hunger in B.C. communities and comes at a critical time as many communities recover from the recent flooding.
Until Dec. 10, 2021, B.C. residents can double their impact—supporting local while also contributing directly to one of 11 partner food banks throughout B.C., including the Kamloops Food Bank and Central Okanagan Food Bank.
“As a social purpose organization, generating win-wins for the greater good is at the core of what we do at BCLC,” said Peter ter Weeme, BCLC’s chief social purpose officer and vice-president of player experience. “In line with that, BCLC launched Love Local BC to help provide much-needed support for food banks and local businesses in B.C. stretched thin by the impacts of the pandemic and recent floods.”
Photo: Contributed
As part of the initiative, BCLC is sponsoring a number of specially curated items and gift cards from local businesses and making them available on the Love Local BC fundraising page for purchase or silent auction. When a gift card is purchased, or a silent auction item is successfully bid on, the contribution will go directly towards supporting a local food bank. With the holidays just around the corner, BCLC’s Love Local BC aims to alleviate hunger across the province and help promote local businesses to shoppers on the hunt for the perfect holiday gift—a win-win.
In addition, everyone who bids on a silent auction item, successful or not, or purchases a gift card through the online fundraiser, will be entered into a grand-prize draw worth up to $5,500. This exciting prize includes a one-night stay at Parq Vancouver in one of the hotel’s most luxurious suites, generously donated by Parq Vancouver.
“BCLC has been a long-time friend of the Kamloops Food Bank, and we are very grateful for its support,” says Bernadette Siracky, executive director for the Kamloops Food Bank. “The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has made this holiday season especially difficult for many families in our community. Support such as through BCLC’s Love Local BC initiative will help us provide healthy, meals to hundreds of individuals in our community this holiday season.”
The Kamloops Food Bank has been serving the community for more than 40 years. In 2020 alone, it delivered more than two million meals to 5,250 individuals and helped support 47 community agencies and nine associate food banks. In addition, the Kamloops Food Bank helps reduce waste in Kamloops through its FoodSHARE program, which has collected more than 2.5 million pounds of healthy, quality foods that would otherwise be sent to the landfill and redirected it to families in need.
BCLC’s Love Local BC initiative will also support the Central Okanagan Food Bank.
“The past 18 months have been an especially challenging time as we continue to support community members with the ongoing effects of the pandemic,” says Tammy Watson, chief development officer for the Central Okanagan Food Bank. “Corporate partnerships with community leaders such as BCLC and funds raised through Love Local BC allows the Food Bank to continue to be there for local families in need. It is one of the most lasting contributions that can be made towards nourishing our community for tomorrow.”
The Central Okanagan Food Bank provides nutritional food support to 54,000 individuals every year, of which 34% are children and youth, and 20% are seniors living on a fixed income. Every donation makes it possible for local families to put dinner on the table and helps fight hunger in the community.
Earls is one of the participating businesses in Kamloops.
“It’s been a challenging year for many small businesses, so it feels amazing to end the year off by being a part of such a positive fundraiser,” says Layton Demidoff of Earls Kamloops, one of the businesses featured. “Love Local BC is unique because it not only allows businesses like ours to reach new customers, but it also enables us to come together as a community to support an amazing charity.”
Other Kamloops-based businesses participating in Love Local BC include: Your Escape Day Spa, Hello Toast and Red Wing Shoes.
In Kelowna, participating businesses include: Okanagan Lifestyle Apparel, The Okanagan Table and SPINCO.
BCLC also partnered with six casinos across the province to host on-site food drives in co-ordination with the fundraiser. From Nov. 29 to Dec. 10, 2021, Chances Casino Kelowna will collect non-perishable food items on behalf of the Central Okanagan Food Bank.
To participate, visit: https://trellis.org/love-local-bc.
This article is written by or on behalf of the sponsoring client and does not necessarily reflect the views of Okanagan Edge.
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