By Lissa Alexander
A multi-year commitment from Quality Foods will help SOS strengthen the Parksville Qualicum Beach community.
Quality Foods has joined the SOS Biz for Good Initiative, committing $10,000 a year in grocery store gift cards for the next three years. SOS Biz for Good is an important part of the $1 Million SOS Project Rebuild campaign, focused on reinforcing a safety net for residents of District 69.
“Project Rebuild is exactly what Quality Foods invests in, we are all about taking care of our community,” said Quality Foods executive assistant Dianne Rivard. “So, it was a win-win for us, it was just exactly in our wheelhouse.”
SOS Project Rebuild is focused on reducing poverty, helping kids thrive and supporting seniors. SOS executive director Susanna Newton said this donation will help vulnerable residents of all ages.
“This is a wonderful investment from Quality Foods, we are so pleased to have their support,” said Newton. “The gift cards will ensure families and individuals in need will be able to choose food that is meaningful to them this holiday season, and it will help meet needs through the winter.”
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SOS also provides food to children and youth in after school programs and SOS Child, Youth and Family Programs manager Alice Tulia said it’s important to have an ample amount of food available.
“We’ve had youth hoard food because they are worried they won’t get enough. We’ve had youth ask if they can take food home to their siblings so they can eat. So, we always make sure there is more than enough,” she said.
SOS Child, Youth and Family programs are free, something Rivard really appreciates.
“Children are our future, and it is great to have programs that allow our children to participate despite financial restrictions,” she said.
Businesses can visit the SOS Project Rebuild website at www.sosprojectrebuild.com to learn more about the initiative and the variety of ways to give.