“To those of you who ask, ‘Where’s our community spirit?’ well, we have it in spades,” Keremeos Valley First branch manager Joan Bauman told a gathering at the credit union on January 17 as she presented a cheque for $6,500 to Cawston Food Bank Manager Ingrid Percival.
Valley First Credit Union celebrated its 65th anniversary last year. In recognition of the occasion, the credit union challenged its employees to collect 6,500 pounds of food for local food banks. By the end of the year, the Keremeos branch had raised a whopping 12,000 pounds of food, and in doing so won a $6,500 donation to the Cawston Food Bank.
“I can’t thank area residents and Valley First enough for their contributions,” said Percival after receiving the cheque.
“If it weren’t for all of you the food bank would have closed last year.” Percival noted that she would be opening the food bank later in the day to approximately 80 people in need.
“Thanks go to Valley First for a wonderful campaign,” added Mayor Manfred Bauer, who also attended the celebration.
“Everyone has responded well to this challenge, but especially here in the Similkameen. Our residents deserve all the credit.
Thanks also to Ingrid Percival for providing such a necessary service.”
Valley First branch Manager Joan Bauman said that even though the campaign is over, the credit union continues to accept food and cash donations on behalf of the food bank.
“The campaign is over,” she concluded, “let’s keep it going.”