The Rotary Club of 100 Mile House handed a $2,500 cheque to the 100 Mile House & District Women's Centre Society during a luncheon on Nov. 8.
Rotary president Maureen Pinkney notes that for more than 35 years, the 100 Mile House club has been active in this community, raising funds for various non-profit organizations that need help to make things happen.
"We are very excited to have had a very successful fall fundraising Lobsterfest event that raised moneys from local sponsors, so we can contribute back to local groups."
Pinkney adds the Women’s Centre provides an essential service in our community.
"We are very proud of our local club and this community to be able to give to them this wonderful donation of $2,500."
Women's Centre Stop the Violence counsellor Karen Beresford says the $2,500 donation from the Rotary Club was "amazing."
Noting the Women's Centre is a non-profit society, she explains all of its funding comes from local programs, such as the United Way and the Williams Lake and District Credit Union, that keep the office and programs running.
"All of the extra we can get to help us keep things going helps us return it to the community."
Beresford adds the Rotary donation is being earmarked for the centre's Fresh Fruit gift cards, which are part of the emergency hampers.
"We buy $10 gift cards from Save-On-Foods and they give us a 10 per cent discount.
"So when people come in to use the Emergency Food Cupboard, each person gets a $10 gift card that they can use for fresh fruit and vegetables."
Noting the centre usually gives out about 50 food hampers a month, Beresford anticipates the Rotary donation will purchase $10 gift cards for around five months.
Depending on the family size and availability of items, a hamper normally includes a package of pasta, spaghetti sauce, noodles, Kraft Dinner, canned fruits and vegetables, canned tuna and salmon, as well as canned or powdered milk if they have it.
"All of that stuff is usually donated by our community members, or we get money from the United Way and the Credit Union as well.”