Fresh fundraiser provides a twist on holiday giving & people are taking note
›› Mila Czemerys
The Gift of Good Food is a Fernwood-based, Greater Victoria wide food access fundraiser. Every $500 we raise supports a family facing poverty with fresh fruit and veggies every two weeks for a year.
We are in our third year of partnering with community centres, neighbourhood houses and transition houses throughout the Capital Regional District. All contributions allow support workers at our 15 partner locations to select families in need to receive this gift in 2018.
One of last year recipients shared, “The Gift of Good Food has helped us during some very difficult times. It has allowed us to make our meals as healthy as possible. It has shown our family that there are people in the community who care.” The benefits of the program are multiple: providing access to healthy food, increasing food literacy, strengthening connections to community, learning about the importance of giving, to name a few.
So far this year, we are fifteen percent of the way to our goal of raising $75,000. A huge thank you to everyone who has already contributed, joined as a fundraising team, supported through your business, volunteered, and spread the word!
“I think this need in largely invisible,” shared Shonna Bell, Family Programs Coordinator at the Fernwood Community Centre. “Parents aren’t necessarily sharing with everyone that they can’t afford to feed their children a proper meal or that they’re eating canned food all the time.” The need for access to consistent, fresh produce does not exist only during the holidays but all year. The Gift of Good Food aims to help fill this need.
Our goal is to support 150 families in 2018. This doesn’t solve the problem but it’s a start. If you believe in this cause and want to show your support, please donate what you can. Every contribution make a difference. Donate at thegiftofgoodfood.ca/donate.
If you want to get involved, check out thegiftofgoodfood.ca/donate/ways-to-support and learn about all the events and promotions happening in and around Victoria that are contributing to the Gift of Good Food. Email kathryn@fernwoodnrg.ca if you would like to sign up to be a fundraising team—you can win great prizes too! Help us reach our goal for the first time ever! We can’t do it without your support.
