Give the gift of local food and help feed community members in need
From now until December 31, all Feed the Need donations up to $5,000 will be generously matched, thanks to the estate of Garry Adams. This means your gift goes twice as far!
When you join Feed the Need, your one-time or recurring donation supports community members experiencing food insecurity and strengthens our local food system. Your contribution ensures that fresh produce reaches those who need it. Give the gift of local food and help feed community members in need.
WHAT is Local? Local is a community-powered local food store that connects the Fernie community with local farmers and producers, making fresh, local food available year-round.
WHAT is Evergreens? Evergreens Farm is a social enterprise in Fernie that grows fresh, local produce year-round and supports the community by donating a portion of its harvest to the Fernie Food Bank.
WHAT is Wildsight? The Wildsight Elk Valley Branch is a non-profit organization that aims to cultivate a thriving, knowledgeable, and resilient local food culture through education, advocacy and community engagement.
“I think it is a wonderful program. It was so nice to have access to the lovely local and fresh products that I would be otherwise unable to afford for my family. It made me feel special for a few weeks. Thank you so much.” – 2022 Gift Card Recipient
Your $20 a month, or one-time donation, goes directly toward feeding community members in need. Half of every donation funds Local gift cards distributed through the Fernie Women’s Resource Centre, while the other half supports Evergreens Farm in donating fresh produce to the Fernie Food Bank.
This is Community-Powered Local Food for all.
The program was inspired by Local’s successful Second Harvest program in 2022, when $18,000 of local food was distributed to 150 vulnerable families and individuals in the Elk Valley through a gift card program. The program was funded by a grant from Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue charitable organisation. In 2023, Local received another $5,000 donation from 100 Women Who Care Fernie which supported another 30 vulnerable households. Local has received wonderful feedback from previous gift card recipients about how a gift of local food has made a difference in their lives.
Feed the Need first launched in December 2023 at Local, and over $7,200 was raised in the first year. Now, Local and Evergreens Farm have partnered together to double the impact.
Read more about it…
- My East Kootenay Now – Nov 28, 2024
Wildsight launches campaign to bolster Elk Valley food security - Fernie Free Press – Jan 9,2024
Local Store Feed the Need Campaign - Wildsight Elk Valley – Apr 12, 2023
Press Release – 100 Women Who Care Fernie - Fernie Free Press – Oct 17, 2023
100 Women Who Care gift grocery cards to Fernie families - Fernie Free Press – Apr 19, 2023
Local Continues to expand food access in the Elk Valley (includes 2nd Harvest and 2022 impact report)
How can I help?
- Become a supporter through a monthly donation
- Give a one-time donation –> choose to give a one-time gift
