Optima Living is proud to announce once again that our communities across British Columbia and Aberta united in a show of commitment to civil society to donate the equivalent in food and cash contributions a record 35,428 lbs of value in food in our annual Food Bank Challenge! We surpassed last year’s contributions and saw a remarkable 504% increase from our first Food Bank Challenge in 2022, with 5,862 lbs, to make an even greater impact in our local communities.
Our Food Bank Drive reflects our three principles of People, Place, and Community. We contribute where the needs are great and our residents and employees are committed to make a meaningful contribution to the communities where we live and work. Our residents and team members waged friendly competitions between communities striving to raise the most support, the entire Optima Living family rallying behind this important initiative. We are honoured that our enthusiastic and devoted spirit contributes to meaningful change for over 20 food bank partners across Western Canada including: Calgary Food Bank, Edmonton's Food Bank, Strathcona Food Bank, The Salvation Army in Canada, Richmond Food Bank Society, The Mustard Seed Street Church, Red Deer Food Bank Society, Friendship Center, Cowichan Valley Basket Society, Root Cellar, Hope Community Services, Waskaysoo Community Food Bank, Morinville Food Bank Society, St. Albert Food Bank (Food Banks Alberta), Claresholm Food Bank, Vegreville Food Bank, Airdrie Food Bank (Alberta), Friends in Need, and Directions Youth Services.
“This achievement is a testament to the power of your community coming together with compassion, creativity, and purpose,” shared Cowichan Valley Basket Society. “We are sincerely grateful for your involvement, and we look forward to continuing this spirit of giving and connection in the future.”
We are proud to make significant differences to our local food banks that nourish the lives of families, children, and seniors in our local communities.
“The partnership [with] Optima Living is essential. The Optima Living sites’ contribution every year is very special and rare,” said Red Deer Food Bank. “Inglewood's recent $2,380 donation and 165 lbs of food is incredibly impactful to our clients of Red Deer. Optima's annual Food Bank Drive really boosts our spirit, at times when donations are limited, and supplies are dwindling. We can't thank you enough!”
Family Services of Greater Vancouver said, “Your support is helping Lower Mainland individuals and families in need to thrive. Thanks to caring donors like you, vulnerable youth can eat a warm meal and have a safe place to spend the night, individuals are empowered to take control of their finances, and families have access to the trauma counselling, social work, and education they need.”
These strong relationships are important reflections of Optima Living’s dedication to People, Place, and Community, and we are thrilled to nurture them every year with partners like Mustard Seed Food Bank.
“We are grateful for the ongoing support we receive from Optima Living here in Victoria. This is the third year we have received support, and the staff have been amazing in creating fun and entertaining events for the residents that have encouraged donations,” they said. “We value this community collaboration and look forward to a continued partnership.”
“Special thanks to Kenneth, resident of Laurel Heights,” said Edmonton Foodbank, “who has been one of the biggest supporters of the Food Bank Drive.”
Thank you to all our food bank partners for providing valuable feedback that inspire us to make an even larger impact moving forward. At Optima, our local communities are part of the family, and we are proud to serve them by fighting food insecurity. We continuously strive to ensure our Food Bank Drive is a purposeful effort from our entire team to build stronger neighbourhoods and fill the hearts of our community residents.
Watch the video:
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About Optima Living
Optima Living is a trusted community of senior living residences across Western Canada, with over 15 years of commitment to creating home-style living rooted in respect, dignity, and purpose. With a range of independent, assisted, memory living and long-term care options and a heartfelt commitment to our North Star “Let us welcome you home,” Optima Living empowers seniors to thrive in a caring environment where personal choice, meaningful connections, and well-being come first.
