Good Food Box fundraiser doubles goal—helping 24 families receive a year of produce
›› Mila Czemerys
The Give the Gift of Good Food fundraiser was an outstanding success. The goal was to raise enough funds to support 10 families in Fernwood with Good Food Boxes for all of 2015. With the support of neighbours, local businesses, and community organizations, we raised $11,000—over double our original goal! These donations will provide 24 local families a Good Food Box every two weeks for a whole year and hopefully nourish their lives with nutrition and a little bit less to worry about.
The aim of the campaign was to provide a means for local families in need to access a regular and ongoing supply of local fruits and vegetables. Families were selected from those currently accessing Fernwood NRG’s Family Resource and Best Babies Programs. We also teamed up with George Jay Elementary School’s Family Liaison who helped us to identify and select families with children attending their school who would benefit from the support.
Shonna Bell, Fernwood NRG’s Family Programs Coordinator, shared, “I think this fundraiser is important because many of the families we support struggle to access fresh fruit and vegetables.” She described how the families selected were overwhelmed with relief knowing that a box of healthy food would be available every two weeks means they can focus their energy on other important concerns. “This is a significant impact for them,” she said.
As soon as the call for donations was made, the contributions came pouring in from a diverse group of supporters including local businesses, families, individuals, clubs, and other Community Centres.
Give the Gift of Good Food inspired some creative initiatives to raise funds and get involved. The Step Up Youth Leadership Group organized a cake walk at the Oaklands West Coast Winter Market and those funds were matched by Hoyne Brewing Co. and Oaklands Market. This collaborative effort was able to raise enough money to cover the cost for almost two families for the year.
Another telling example of the overwhelming support received were the families that decided to forgo their own Christmas presents this year and donate their holiday money to the campaign. See one of their stories here: fernwoodnrg.ca/swoveland-family-forgoes-christmas-gifts.
There are countless stories of generosity and cooperation but there is not enough space to share them all here. We have so much gratitude for each person who decided to take part in this fundraising effort. Thank you!
| A heartfelt thanks to:4 North Patient Care Centre at Royal Jubilee Hospital – Aubergine Speciality Foods – BC Transit – Café Brio – Division of Continuing Studies UVic – Hoyne Brewing Company – Human-Nature Counselling – Investors Group – Island Health – Oaklands Community Centre – Ocean Grown Medicinal Society – Selkirk Montessori School – SOMA Active Health – Step Up Youth Leadership Program – Story Tellers of Victoria – STS RX Pharmacy – Studio 1313 Hair Design – The Belfry Theatre – The Local General Store – The Paint Box School of Art – The Vitamin Shop – UVic Ecology Department – Vegas Convenience Store – Victoria Community Dialysis Facility – Who Dyd Your Hair – Astrid Fritzsche – Barbara Williams – Bindi Sawchuk – David Saltman – Emily Bellinger – Frances Burton – James Fry – Jane L. Broomfield – Janna Jessee – June Wall – Kari MacIntyre – Kathrine Harvey – Kelsey Singbeil – Lisa Matthaus – Margaret-Anne Storey – Peter Finch – Sandra & Glo Collins – Sarah Rose Robert – Sarah Thornton – Sheryl Dyck – Susan Quipp – Susan Smith – Swoveland family – Theodora Malczewska – Trina & Kevin Kuhn – Zaid Jumean and all the individuals and groups who donated! |
Please email abby@fernwoodnrg.ca if you are interested in being involved with the fundraiser next year. For more info about the Good Food Box, check out thegoodfoodbox.ca.
