Nature’s Fare Delivers Christmas Food and Cash to BC Food Banks

Tara Berger (left) and Brandon Molzahn (right) of Nature’s Fare Markets present a check to Neil S. Thompson (middle) of the Salvation Army Food Bank in Vernon. (Contributed)

Trina Speiser, Director of Development, Central Okanagan Food Bank (second from right), receives a check from Nature’s Fare Markets team members Darrell Jones (from left), Suzi Oberkirsch, Andre Desrosiers and Allison Wormel. (Contributed)

Nature’s Fare Markets store manager Alex Grant (left) presents a check to Major Paul Trickett (centre) and Alan Madsen, Manager, Community Ministries, Salvation Army Food Bank in Penticton. (Contributed)

Jon Silen (left) and Gerald Munts (right) of Nature’s Fare Markets present a check to Jim Calamunce (middle) of the Langley Food Bank. (Contributed)

Lila Zias of Nature’s Fare Markets (left) presents a check to Jaye Murray, Program Manager, Sources Food Bank, serving White Rock and South Surrey. (Contributed)

Left to right, Gary Innis and Leyla Johnson of Nature’s Fare Markets (left to right) present a check to Bernadette Siracky, General Manager, and Kelley Bossert, Manager, Kamloops Food Bank. (Contributed)

At a time when so many are struggling to make ends meet, the Nature’s Fare Markets community has taken up the challenge to help feed those in need.

The seven stores of the British Columbia organic and wellness grocery chain have already collected more than 12,000 pounds of food baskets donated by customers, eclipsing the 8,000 pounds of food collected last year.

“We have an amazing community. It is heartwarming to see the generosity of our customers and to help get this food to the people who need it most,” said Michael Sherwood, CEO, of the lots available in stores to donate. until December 24. “We know there is so much pressure on food banks right now as people turn to them for help, so we wanted to support our local food banks as much as possible this holiday season.

In addition to food baskets donated by customers, Nature’s Fare donated $60,000 to food banks in the communities it serves.

Locally, the following donations were made:

• Vernon Salvation Army – $10,000

This year, stores started earlier to feature prepared food packets of everything from peanut butter and jam to baby care and breakfast essentials. So far, customers in BC stores have picked up and donated over $25,000 worth of food. As food bank packages are still available until Christmas Eve, this total will continue to increase.

Over $54,000 was also donated through the 3% club for non-profit organizations. Groups like daycares, parent-teacher councils, and after-school activity groups collect their receipts and receive a check for 3% of their pre-tax total as a tax-free donation.

“These are often very small local non-profit organizations that work very hard and do the important and often invisible work that improves the daily lives of young families, so it is a joy for us to help give a helping hand. to these clubs and thank them for supporting our stores,” said Sherwood.

A $5,000 donation was also made to the organic food certification body, Organic BC, which supports producers making the transition to becoming certified organic producers and advocates for a resilient organic sector in British Columbia.

@VernonNews
roger@vernonmorningstar.com
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Charity and donationsFoodFood bankVernon