Christmas came early for the food bank in Maple Ridge with a $30,000 donation from a local company.
Vanguard Mechanical Ltd. made the donation to the Friends In Need Food Bank just before the holidays – the company’s ninth year of giving back.
Owner Jacob Kuehne, his wife Candice, and their two daughters Annabelle and Sophia have been fundraising with their staff for The Friends in Need for many years, explained the food bank’s executive director Mary Robson.
And, continued Robson, each year the size of the donation has increased – with a $25,000 donation last year and $30,000 this year.
“They are so committed in the work they do and send teams out to retail locations in the community seeking donations. We appreciate the support the Vanguard family gives to the Friends in Need,” said Robson.
The Kuehne’s started fundraising at the end of September, holding an event called Rocktoberfest, a private party at their home. Then fundraising dates were set up at various stores in Maple Ridge including Canadian Tire, FreshCo, Save-On-Foods at Westgate Shopping Centre, Ridgeway Beer Wine Spirits, the Townhall Maple Ridge liquor store, and at Townhall Maple Ridge restaurant during Vanguard Mechanical’s year-end party.
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In total there were 12 fundraising dates with the last date of fundraising taking place on Dec. 16.
“Great job Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge communities for donating to our cause! We were able to raise over $11,000 in the community and Vanguard topped it off for a total $30,000 for the food bank,” read an online post by the company.
“This campaign has become a company tradition for Vanguard Mechanical,” offered Natasha Didrikson with Vanguard, with the sole purpose of giving back to the community and to support the food bank.