Gifts and Grants from Valley First Credit Union
Since its first disbursements in 2011, the Valley First Community Endowment has contributed more than $316,000 to community programs across the Okanagan, Thompson and Similkameen regions. Allocation of grants from the endowment for 2015 is now complete, with more than $113,000 distributed to local charities. Total disbursements this year jumped by 70 per cent, or more than $46,000 over the amount granted in 2014. Funding from the Valley First Community Endowment supports programs that create resilient and resourceful communities with a focus on enhancing food security. “Through these grants, we’re able to make a real difference in the lives of people in our communities,” says Seline Kutan, executive director of the First West Foundation. “By helping local organizations get the funding they need, we ensure they can continue to deliver the programs and services that make our communities a better place to live. Funding from the endowment will make a particularly large impact for the Okanagan Science Centre and its “Food: Too Good to Waste” exhibit on food waste. “We’re excited about supporting this exhibit,” says Kutan. “It’s a fantastic way of educating people about food security and related issues, and it’s clearly aligned to the endowment’s mandate.”
Here are the names of the organization, programs, communities and dollar amounts for the 2015 cycle (South Okanagan/Similkameen)
SD53 – Oliver Elementary Farm 2 School Program Oliver $5,000
SD53 – Cawston Primary School Breakfast & Lunch Program Cawston $2,500
SD67 – McNicoll Park Middle School Vulnerable Youth Breakfast ClubPenticton $4,000
SD67 – KVR Middle School Breakfast Program Penticton $2,000
Lower Similkameen Community Services Society Gustavson House – Adult Mental Health Drop In Meals Enhancement & Emergency Offerings Cawston $2,780
Okanagan School of the Arts Steam Kettle for Community Kitchen Penticton $6,500
Penticton & District Community Resources Society Nutritional Enhancement Project Penticton $11,400