bc-wine-giftsBC Wineries are giving local this holiday season by donating partial proceeds from sales in BC VQA Wine Stores towards Food Banks BC as a proud sponsor of the 29th Annual CBC Radio-Canada Food Bank Drive.

From November 29 through January 3, more than 130 BC wineries are contributing 10 cents for every bottle of 100% BC Wine purchased at your local BC VQA retailer towards local BC food banks helping to take the bite out of hunger. Look for the BC VQA Food Drive neck tags on participating wines in your local BC VQA Wine Store to support local in more than one way this season.

“It’s about local wineries and grapegrowers, most of which are small family-run operations, stepping up to meet the challenge of rising hunger issues in our communities and giving back to families, individuals and children needing assistance,” says Miles Prodan CEO and President for the BC Wine Institute. “Wines of British Columbia are proud to be sponsors of this worthy cause and support local community programs as Food Banks BC continue to find ways to make an impact on hunger now and for the future.”

The latest statistics from Hunger Count 2015 have revealed BC has the highest number of families, individuals and children needing assistance from food banks ever recorded in our province.

“More than 100,000 people are now turning to their local food banks for help every month,” says Laura Lansink Executive Director at Food Banks BC. “Thanks to our partnership with BC Wineries, our food banks continue to get much needed support, the type of support which is essential to combat hunger today as well as for tomorrow. Their encouragement and commitment to the community through their funding to our food banks is appreciated day after day by those that are helped.”

The CBC Radio-Canada Food Bank Day raised a total of $631,966 this year with help from the BC Wine Institute’s “Instant BC Wine Cellar” giveaway prize comprised of 24 bottles of premium BC VQA Wines.

“When I think of the number of families that this remarkable total will feed, especially during the holiday season, I feel incredible gratitude to our audience – thank you for sharing your love for our community and for your support towards food banks this year,” says Johnny Michel, senior managing director of CBC British Columbia and Alberta.

For every one dollar that is donated, BC food banks will be able to supply the equivalent of three meals to a person in need.  More importantly, when food banks receive these cash donations, they can then purchase the types of nutritious foods, like fruits, vegetables, eggs, dairy and protein; all foods that are essential to health, particularly in growing children.


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