Penticton, B.C. As B.C. food banks struggle to meet increased demands on their resources, Valley First extended a helping hand during Hunger Awareness Week (May 5 to 9) by raising close to $3,000 and collecting 700 pounds of food for local food banks.
The efforts of Valley First employees went directly to Feed the Valley, Valley Firsts signature cause supporting 11 food bank partners operating across B.C.s Southern Interior.
During Hunger Awareness Week, employees and members alike were encouraged to make monetary or non-perishable food item donations to benefit local B.C. food banks. Valley First also took to social media, pledging to donate $2 (up to a total of $2000) for every like, share or retweet of its Hunger Awareness Week posts and tweets.
"For a community-centred organization like Valley First, the problem of hunger really hits home, especially when we consider that 29 per cent of food bank clients are children," says Susan Byrom, manager of community investment at Valley First. "Through Feed the Valley, were able make a real difference in the fight against hunger in our communities."
Since its March 2010 launch, Feed the Valley has provided food banks across B.Cs Southern Interior more than $615,000 and in excess of 56,000 pounds of food thanks to the efforts of Valley First employees, members and community partners.
"Feed the Valley has done tremendously well in just four years, surpassing the halfway mark of its $1 million in 10 years goal," says Byrom. "The success of this program proves were helping people become more aware of this basic need in our communities."
Members of the local community can support Feed the Valley by donating non-perishable food items or making cash donations at their nearest Valley First or Enderby & District 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/feed-the-valley/.
Valley First is a division of First West Credit Union, B.C.'s third-largest credit union, which has 39 branches and 28 insurance offices throughout the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, Kitimat and Okanagan, Similkameen and Thompson valleys. Led by Launi Skinner, First West has $7.7 billion in assets under administration, more than 177,000 members and close to 1,300 employees. For more information on Valley First, visit
valleyfirst.com.� Follow Valley First on Facebook (
www.facebook.com/valleyfirst) and Twitter (
www.twitter.com/valley_first).
Penticton, B.C. As B.C. food banks struggle to meet increased demands on their resources, Valley First extended a helping hand during Hunger Awareness Week (May 5 to 9) by raising close to $3,000 and collecting 700 pounds of food for local food banks.
The efforts of Valley First employees went directly to Feed the Valley, Valley Firsts signature cause supporting 11 food bank partners operating across B.C.s Southern Interior.
During Hunger Awareness Week, employees and members alike were encouraged to make monetary or non-perishable food item donations to benefit local B.C. food banks. Valley First also took to social media, pledging to donate $2 (up to a total of $2000) for every like, share or retweet of its Hunger Awareness Week posts and tweets.
"For a community-centred organization like Valley First, the problem of hunger really hits home, especially when we consider that 29 per cent of food bank clients are children," says Susan Byrom, manager of community investment at Valley First. "Through Feed the Valley, were able make a real difference in the fight against hunger in our communities."
Since its March 2010 launch, Feed the Valley has provided food banks across B.Cs Southern Interior more than $615,000 and in excess of 56,000 pounds of food thanks to the efforts of Valley First employees, members and community partners.
"Feed the Valley has done tremendously well in just four years, surpassing the halfway mark of its $1 million in 10 years goal," says Byrom. "The success of this program proves were helping people become more aware of this basic need in our communities."
Members of the local community can support Feed the Valley by donating non-perishable food items or making cash donations at their nearest Valley First or Enderby & District 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/feed-the-valley/.
Valley First is a division of First West Credit Union, B.C.'s third-largest credit union, which has 39 branches and 28 insurance offices throughout the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, Kitimat and Okanagan, Similkameen and Thompson valleys. Led by Launi Skinner, First West has $7.7 billion in assets under administration, more than 177,000 members and close to 1,300 employees. For more information on Valley First, visit valleyfirst.com.� Follow Valley First on Facebook (www.facebook.com/valleyfirst) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/valley_first).