Abbotsford, B.C. Vibrant Abbotsford is an initiative of the United Way of the Fraser Valley (UWFV) focused on building a more vibrant city through the reduction of poverty. The initiatives most recent project is the Fresh Food Box and Bulk Buying Club, a project that will purchase household and food items at wholesale cost, leveraging low-income residents buying power and passing along savings to participants. Envision Financial is proud to support the Abbotsford Fresh Food Box and Bulk Buying Club program with a $5005 donation from the Envision Financial Community Endowment administered by the First West Foundation.
"The project fills a gap by serving people in-between emergency food users and those able to afford retail prices, particularly those currently not reached by food supports. It will provide an affordable, accessible and dignified option to families transitioning out of food insecurity," says Alison Homer, program coordinator with Vibrant Abbotsford.
The Envision Financial grant will provide vital support for facilitation of skills training, as well as funding the rental of meeting and community kitchen space.
"The team at Envision Financial is passionate about our Full Cupboard initiative supporting local food banks and we are excited to support another like-minded organization to increase food security in our community, and ultimately work towards a more vibrant Abbotsford together," says Lyle McClelland, branch manager at Envision Financials Abbotsford Village branch.
The Abbotsford Fresh Food Box and Bulk Buying Club will directly benefit a minimum of 25 food insecure families in Abbotsford. Not only will it benefit those families directly, but other local agencies such as the Abbotsford Food Bank will become less burdened in their provision of services. Local growers and farmers will be supported as the food for the project will be purchased from Harvest Box, which buys directly from local farmers when possible. Finally, other Fraser Valley community partners will benefit as they will gain access to a sustainable model for a collaborative initiative that can be replicated in their own communities.
About First West Foundation
The�First West Foundation was established in 1996 by the management and board of First West Credit�Union. Its purpose is to support initiatives that enhance the quality of life in First West communities and to create capital for sustainable community support by encouraging philanthropy. Since inception, the Foundation has proudly distributed over $2.3 million in grants to charities.
About Vibrant Abbotsford
Vibrant Abbotsford is a collaborative group working to build a more vibrant city through the reduction of poverty. Established in 2006,�opportunities are created for residents to gain means, choices and power to achieve self-sufficiency and act as active participants in society. Strategies include skill development, asset-building and community engagement. To learn
more, visit
www.vibrantabbotsford.ca.
About Envision Financial
Envision Financial is a division of First West Credit Union, B.C.'s third-largest credit union, with 40 branches and 29 insurance offices throughout the province operating under the Envision Financial, Valley First and Enderby & District Financial brands. Led by Launi Skinner, First West has $7.1 billion in assets under administration, more than 171,000 members and close to 1,300 employees. For eight years running, Envision was named one of the 50 Best Employers in Canada. For its extensive community involvement, First West is designated a Caring Company by Imagine Canada. For more information, visit
envisionfinancial.ca.
Abbotsford, B.C. Vibrant Abbotsford is an initiative of the United Way of the Fraser Valley (UWFV) focused on building a more vibrant city through the reduction of poverty. The initiatives most recent project is the Fresh Food Box and Bulk Buying Club, a project that will purchase household and food items at wholesale cost, leveraging low-income residents buying power and passing along savings to participants. Envision Financial is proud to support the Abbotsford Fresh Food Box and Bulk Buying Club program with a $5005 donation from the Envision Financial Community Endowment administered by the First West Foundation.
"The project fills a gap by serving people in-between emergency food users and those able to afford retail prices, particularly those currently not reached by food supports. It will provide an affordable, accessible and dignified option to families transitioning out of food insecurity," says Alison Homer, program coordinator with Vibrant Abbotsford.
The Envision Financial grant will provide vital support for facilitation of skills training, as well as funding the rental of meeting and community kitchen space.
"The team at Envision Financial is passionate about our Full Cupboard initiative supporting local food banks and we are excited to support another like-minded organization to increase food security in our community, and ultimately work towards a more vibrant Abbotsford together," says Lyle McClelland, branch manager at Envision Financials Abbotsford Village branch.
The Abbotsford Fresh Food Box and Bulk Buying Club will directly benefit a minimum of 25 food insecure families in Abbotsford. Not only will it benefit those families directly, but other local agencies such as the Abbotsford Food Bank will become less burdened in their provision of services. Local growers and farmers will be supported as the food for the project will be purchased from Harvest Box, which buys directly from local farmers when possible. Finally, other Fraser Valley community partners will benefit as they will gain access to a sustainable model for a collaborative initiative that can be replicated in their own communities.
About First West Foundation
The�First West Foundation was established in 1996 by the management and board of First West Credit�Union. Its purpose is to support initiatives that enhance the quality of life in First West communities and to create capital for sustainable community support by encouraging philanthropy. Since inception, the Foundation has proudly distributed over $2.3 million in grants to charities.
About Vibrant Abbotsford
Vibrant Abbotsford is a collaborative group working to build a more vibrant city through the reduction of poverty. Established in 2006,�opportunities are created for residents to gain means, choices and power to achieve self-sufficiency and act as active participants in society. Strategies include skill development, asset-building and community engagement. To learn
more, visit www.vibrantabbotsford.ca.
About Envision Financial
Envision Financial is a division of First West Credit Union, B.C.'s third-largest credit union, with 40 branches and 29 insurance offices throughout the province operating under the Envision Financial, Valley First and Enderby & District Financial brands. Led by Launi Skinner, First West has $7.1 billion in assets under administration, more than 171,000 members and close to 1,300 employees. For eight years running, Envision was named one of the 50 Best Employers in Canada. For its extensive community involvement, First West is designated a Caring Company by Imagine Canada. For more information, visit envisionfinancial.ca.