Page 22 - Brandon Sun - 2020 Westman Business

22 THE BRANDON SUN • WESTMAN BUSINESS • NOVEMBER 2020

Sunrise Credit Union staff stand with some of the donations made as part of its Helping People of Sunrise grant program. (Submitted).
Sunrise Credit Union community

contribution continues during pandemic

Sunrise Credit Union prides itself on this unprecedented time, and Sunrise wise be available to our families in need.” “Directly supporting local farmers
being a socially and environmentally Credit Union is thrilled to help support said Barbara McNish, Executive Director changes our rural communities and
conscientious company that gives backs their activities,” said Sunrise President of Samaritan House Ministries in Bran- economy by bringing more families
to our communities. and CEO Tim Klassen. “Being able to don, “As we experience first-hand the back to farming and our communities.
When the pandemic initially hit in the support these organizations that are sup- fragility of our food system amid a health It creates more diverse farms and more
spring of 2020, Sunrise Credit Union re- porting the communities we serve rein- crisis, we rely even more heavily on our diverse food produced on those farms,
allocated some of the resources usually forces the Sunrise Way and our commit- community. We are thankful for the rather than focusing on large-scale, ex-

associated with the sponsorship of ac- ment of giving back to our communities.” strength of our partnerships, and we look port-oriented farming and very few kinds
tivities and events to support organiza- Among the organizations receiving forward to facing new challenges togeth- of crops,” said Heather Parrott-Howd-
tions on the frontline of helping people support through the grant program was er!” le, President of Southquill Health Area
impacted by the pandemic. the Samaritan House Ministries Food Many other food banks in the Western Foodbank Inc. “Directly supporting our
The Helping People of Sunrise Grant Hamper Program. Manitoba area also received grants in the farms keeps 100 per cent of the money
program supported non-profit organiza- The grant of almost $19,000 allowed for form of products from businesses as part in our community and supports more
tions that required assistance to provide the purchase of products from the Souris of the program, including the Minnedo- whole, healthy foods. By supporting local
emergency relief in their communities. A River Hutterite Colony - JK Meats, East 40 sa & Area Food Bank, the Shoal Lake & farms, it means we are localizing the food
goal to help those struggling during the Packers Ltd. and Heritage Co-op to stock Area Food Bank, Boissevain Food Pantry, chain, increasing our community’s food
health and economic crisis, both at the food hampers for individuals and fami- Deloraine & Area Food Cupboard and security, and re-populating the empty ru-
demand and supply ends of the chain, lies in need. the Melita & Area Community Link Food ral landscape.”
was met. “This generous donation will assist Pantry. In addition to food banks, several oth-
Fourteen organizations in Western our food bank in providing much-need- The Southquill Health Area Foodbank er organizations that support individuals
Manitoba received grants valued at close ed protein in our hamper program. Inc., based in Erickson, received prod- and families in need during the health
to $42,000 through the Helping People of Community relationships such as with ucts valued at $5,000 to help feed fami- and economic crisis received Helping
Sunrise grant program. Sunrise Credit Union offer unique oppor- lies in need, with the product purchased People of Sunrise grants.
“Community groups are providing im- tunities to support local producers and from Heritage Co-op, Folk Dance Farms
portant services and programs during processors; this food would not other- and Tamarack Farms. » Continued on Page 23