Western Forest Products is again teaming up with community groups and First Nations partners across the areas where operates to give back during the holiday season.
The company is contributing $100,000 to 30 community groups and First Nations partners to help provide food and toys for the holidays where they are needed the most on the coast of B.C. and Washington State.
“We recognize the recent supply chain issues combined with higher-than-usual demand since the pandemic started puts additional strain on services accessed by those requiring support,” noted Don Demens, president and chief executive officer of Western. “This donation is one small way we can support individuals and families in need and spread some hope and happiness during the holiday season. This is a time for giving and we are grateful that we are able to do our part to make the holidays a little merrier for those dealing with hardship.”
The Cowichan Valley Basket Society, one of the recipients, will use the funding for those that access its community soup kitchen and food bank.
“Donations to the CVBS allow us to continue to work towards alleviating hunger within the Cowichan Valley,” noted said Lee Smith, board of directors chair of the CVBS. “Canadian food banks will typically distribute between $5 and $9 of food for every $1 received in donations, over the course of a year. The CVBS is no exception and as a result, financial donations are crucial to everything we do. As we approach Christmas 2021, we are seeing the demand for our services steadily rising, as exacerbated by recent flooding events. We are very grateful to Western Forest Products for their generous and on-going supports.”
The company’s donations to individual groups vary in amount corresponding to community size or needs.