The New Denver and Area Community Hamper Society is improving its food bank space with support from Columbia Basin Trust. (Submitted)
Columbia Basin Trust has announced it is providing $430,900 to regional food banks for infrastructure improvements.
The grants announced Nov. 25 will support 14 projects in 11 communities.
"All people in the Columbia Basin deserve access to locally grown, healthy food, and food banks are a vital resource for many," said Katie Kendall, senior manager, delivery of benefits in a statement. "These upgrades help ensure food is stored and handled safely and that food banks have the tools they need to operate efficiently."
The New Denver and Area Community Hamper Society will use $12,000 to improve its food bank space with new counters and electrical work that will enhance lighting and ventilation.
"The space will become more user-friendly and functional for our volunteers, clients and Board members; air flow and circulation will be improved, and we'll have more space for storage," said society board member Shelley Welch.
Other recipients include: Castlegar's Community Harvest Food Bank ($10,100), Cranbrook Food Bank Society ($40,000), Creston Valley Gleaners Society ($61,700), Fruitvale's Communities in Faith Pastoral Charge ($3,000), Invermere's Columbia Valley Food Bank ($116,000), Nelson Community Food Centre ($55,700), Nelson's St. Saviour's Pro-Cathedral ($31,100), Revelstoke's Community Connections Revelstoke Society ($18,100), Salmo Community Resource Society ($20,000), Slocan's W.E. Graham Community Services Society ($21,100), Trail's Communities in Faith Pastoral Charge ($3,200) and Trail's Governing Council of the Salvation Army in Canada ($27,800).