Times are uncertain but one thing remains the same; children and families in our community need our help. Our local food banks are experiencing tremendous increases in the number of clients served with one of every three clients, being a child under the age of 18.

Inspired by the work of the Central Okanagan Food Bank, a local business man has joined forces with Valley First to raise funds for our food bank. Valley First has pledged to match donations up to $10,000 during this campaign through its signature cause, Feed the Valley. To make your donation or to find more information on hunger in our community, please visit feedthevalley.ca.

https://www.facebook.com/valley....

Our First West Credit Union staff are practicing social distancing, proudly representing our local brand, Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union, and most importantly, raising funds for our local food banks. We love our communities and in this unprecedented time, we want to stay connected with one another and continue to walk with you. Sending out some extra community love!

Oh. My. Goodness. Kelowna!! With your support and generosity, The Gopal Family's Annual Bollywood Gala was able to raise $97,455 to support the YMCA of Okanagan and their youth programs!! Thank YOU for helping make such an incredible impact in the lives of so many - we’re absolutely overwhelmed and grateful beyond words.

Thank You to our major sponsors: CapriCMW Insurance, Sheldon Gardiner and Shauna Gardiner Foundation, The Industra Group, Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union, Innov8 Digital Solutions Inc., Mission Hill Family Estate Winery, and St Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery.

And a massive, massive Thank You to our Bollywood Gala committee members for their help - it could not have happened without your time and effort!

Lesley Brydon, Scott Brydon, Gary Parmar, Neeru Parmar, Kirsty Nicholson, Garry Benson, Nikki Callaway, Shauna Gardiner, Sheldon Gardiner, Stuart Dickson, Susan Dickson, Brea Lake, Raghwa Gopal, Sarita Gopal, Choco Palm

There will be more information for next year's Gala coming soon but if you want on the list early (we sell out every year!), please email BollywoodGala@Outlook.Com :)

We love our food bank programs--Feed the Valley (serving communities everywhere Valley First operates) and The Full Cupboard-(serving communities in our regions Envision Financial, a division of First West Credit Union & Island Savings a division of First West Credit Union). These community-based programs are designed to raise food, funds and awareness about hunger in our communities. Our team members are at the heart of the program--branch champions who connect with our community to support local food banks.

Join us in the fight against hunger in all our communities by making a donation today to your local food bank. In BC, you can make a donation at foodbanksbc.com. Read more about Food for Thought in Enterprise Magazine!

Photo courtesy of Enterprise Magazine

As we got home from #ChangeUP last night, we were overwhelmed with community and a sense of belonging 🤗✨⁣

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Thank you to Purppl + Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union for the opportunity, the amazing presenters Indigeneyez, Childhood Connections, Happipad, The Local Gift Card, and Connect Counselling and all of the incredible support we felt in the #Kelowna Innovation Center tonight!

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Big shoutouts to those who have seen us, believed in us, and been cheering us on since day one Sheldon Gardiner, Garrett Jones, Andrew Greer and who were all in one room tonight being part of change + impact in the community 🙌⁣

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And to those who showed up, whether you were voluntold to be there by your partner/work ... Or you came on your own! We see you, we appreciate you, we are here for YOU!⁣

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So many congratulations to all who applied + presented. And to the two chosen for the scale-up program Happipad + #ConnectCounselling who we're proud to be partnered with for our #1MillionCampaign 🖤 ⁣⁣

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KELOWNA/ OKANAGAN. Keep doing incredible things! 🙌✨🖤

#mentalhealthmatters #socialentrepreneurs #socialenterprise

Thank you, Penticton! Last week at the 10th annual Penticton Vees Junior Hockey Club Feed The Valley night, we raised over $840 and 1,700lbs of food for The Salvation Army Penticton Food Bank. On top of all the food that was donated, the Food Bank will be able to provide 2,500 meals to people in need through your generosity!

A special thank you to Save-On-Foods and the South Okanagan Events Centre for your continued support of Feed the Valley, and to everyone who attended the game to cheer the Vees to victory! Over the past 10 years of this event, we have raised more than 19,000lbs of food and over $6,500 for the Penticton community! Your support in the fight against hunger is greatly appreciated.

Congratulations to our very own, Stacey Bachynsky who is being recognized by Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union, for her leadership in the community through our Employee Lead Well Program. As part of this recognition she received $500 to donate to the charity of her choice, she chose Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary School. Stacey spent two terms (6 years) as chair of the school council, but having reached her maximum time as chair, she has now dedicated herself to fundraising initiatives and serving on the school's parish council. Our Lady of Lourdes is an independent school with a strong educational focus on children becoming good global citizens through involvement in several outreach and service programs. They also have a key focus on youth learning to grow their own food through indoor and outdoor gardens year-round. We thank you Stacey for supporting your community and the development of youth!

Kudos to #SimpleGenerosity Neighbourhood Grant recipient from Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union, South Okanagan Loss Society! SOLS used the grant to help facilitate their Conversations About Loss and Grief weekly support groups for local residents to reduce their isolation and increase mental wellness after surviving the loss of a loved one. The initiative helps people in the community feel validated in their experiences and begin to make the changes they need to move forward. Thank you for helping us share #SimpleGenerosity in our community through your kindness and understanding! Have an idea for a community initiative, program or event? Apply on Do Some Good today for a grant of up to $500; http://bit.ly/2MlL26T

Shout out to our Kelowna teams - they recently presented a cheque to Central Okanagan Community Food Bank for $5,298.67 - the equivalent of 15,896 meals the food bank can provide to those in need in the community! The funds were raised by our teams through our Feed the Valley programming - raising food, funds and awareness for the issue of hunger in our communities.