Moving West, across the Salish Sea, we proudly showcase seven-time grantee, Nanaimo Community Kitchens Society, recipient of a $15,000 unrestricted Island Savings a division of First West Credit Union Community Endowment impact grant in 2023, housed with the First West Foundation. The impact grant helped to fund their Community Cooking Groups, focused on providing cooking kits and online and in-person workshops to those in need in the greater Nanaimo area.
With a long history of serving the vulnerable community, Nanaimo Community Kitchens has experienced an uptick in those community members looking for access to healthy food and the skills to create nutritious and budget-friendly meals. The program serves people with diverse abilities, seniors, youth single parents and low-income populations.
Building on existing community assets, Nanaimo Community Kitchens connect and build knowledge around food and bring the program to where the need is greatest - offering programs in social housing buildings, social centres, and public schools. Most recently, they began offering a cooking program for newcomers to Canada and are creating a cooking program for women fleeing domestic violence.
“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the First West Foundation for their unwavering support of Nanaimo Community Kitchens,” shared Heidi Sinclair, Executive Director Nanaimo Community Kitchens Society. “Their consistent financial backing has been instrumental in broadening the scope of our essential programs, including our cooking initiatives in the community and schools. Their ongoing generosity has not only facilitated our seamless adaptation to the challenges posed by the pandemic but has also significantly contributed to the well-being and resilience of the Nanaimo community, particularly in helping the next generation learn the valuable skill of cooking.”
A boisterous thank you Nanaimo Community Kitchens Society for the incredible work you do for folks who are folks in the greater Nanaimo area.
First West Foundation donors help make these stories possible through their incredible generosity. Help us continue to support charities that matter to you! Be part of the giving with a donation to First West Foundation through Canada Helps: http://tinyurl.com/3pauuyaj
photo credit: Nanaimo Community Kitchens Society
With a long history of serving the vulnerable community, Nanaimo Community Kitchens has experienced an uptick in those community members looking for access to healthy food and the skills to create nutritious and budget-friendly meals. The program serves people with diverse abilities, seniors, youth single parents and low-income populations.
Building on existing community assets, Nanaimo Community Kitchens connect and build knowledge around food and bring the program to where the need is greatest - offering programs in social housing buildings, social centres, and public schools. Most recently, they began offering a cooking program for newcomers to Canada and are creating a cooking program for women fleeing domestic violence.
“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the First West Foundation for their unwavering support of Nanaimo Community Kitchens,” shared Heidi Sinclair, Executive Director Nanaimo Community Kitchens Society. “Their consistent financial backing has been instrumental in broadening the scope of our essential programs, including our cooking initiatives in the community and schools. Their ongoing generosity has not only facilitated our seamless adaptation to the challenges posed by the pandemic but has also significantly contributed to the well-being and resilience of the Nanaimo community, particularly in helping the next generation learn the valuable skill of cooking.”
A boisterous thank you Nanaimo Community Kitchens Society for the incredible work you do for folks who are folks in the greater Nanaimo area.
First West Foundation donors help make these stories possible through their incredible generosity. Help us continue to support charities that matter to you! Be part of the giving with a donation to First West Foundation through Canada Helps: http://tinyurl.com/3pauuyaj
photo credit: Nanaimo Community Kitchens Society