The $5,000 being awarded to Canadian Mental Health Association-South Cariboo (CMHA-SC) branch is coming from the Williams Lake and District Credit Union's (WLDCU) Community Investment Fund.
The money will be used to support the CMHA-SC's Soupe de Tour – a mobile hot meal program – which provides nutritious food to local individuals and families struggling with poverty, says CMHA-SC acting executive director Susann Collins.
The money will help buy the groceries and supplies used to make the soup
for this program, she adds.
The WLCCU's Community Investment Fund supports local non-profit organizations and community groups with projects and initiatives that contribute to economic revitalization and improved quality of life, while breaking down barriers in order to help families achieve economic success and enhanced quality of life.
The CMHA-SC, in partnership with a group of dedicated volunteers, has prepared and delivered thousands of servings of hot, nourishing soup since the program began several years ago, Collins says.
This year-round program will be broadened to serve the increasing numbers of people accessing the service due to the continuing challenging economic times, she adds.
"Our staff and volunteers deliver food weekly, or on alternate weeks, to the 100 Mile Food Bank and Loaves & Fishes Outreach. The Soupe de Tour program also provides soup on an ongoing basis to the 100 Mile & District Women’s Centre and to the Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre."
The soup is also made available to CMHA-SC’s poverty support programs – Homeless Outreach program, and Extreme Weather Response Shelter, Collins explains.
"We thank the Williams Lake and District Credit Union for awarding us this much-needed funding and we're very grateful for their kind generosity."