Smithers, BC: The Wetzin’kwa Community Forest Corporation is once again supporting the Smithers Coast Mountain College campus food bank and Breakfast Club through its grant program.
The Community Grant Program was established to distribute profits from the operation of the Wetzin’kwa Community Forest tenure back into the community. The program supports a broad range of projects and initiatives that have the potential to generate the greatest long-term benefits to Bulkley Valley residents. Since the grant program started, the corporation has funded 167 organizations in the Bulkley Valley and donated a total of $3.9 million in grants over the last 16 years.
The money donated each year depends on the corporation’s ability to harvest trees, as without this they do not generate revenue and profit. Since the initiation of the grant program, the amount of money Wetzin’kwa provides through grants has increased, and in recent years (2019 to present), Wetzin’kwa has given out approximately $300,000 each year to non-profit organizations in the Bulkley Valley. The grants reflect the range of Wetzin’kwa core values: environmental, cultural, community, recreation, and economic. They also provide money each year to local charities and bursaries to students.
Sam Coggins, RPF – General Manager, Wetzin’kwa Community Forest Corporation says, “Wetzin’kwa understands that many students attending the College have arrived recently in Canada. We were pleased to provide a grant to the College’s Breakfast Club and food bank this year as a way to support newcomers to the Valley and support them as they arrive in the North. Also, we recognize that the College’s food initiatives support students in general who may require assistance, especially at a time when everything seems to be more expensive.”
Dawn McConnell, Manager of Community and Student Wellbeing at CMTN's Smithers campus expresses gratitude to the Wetzin'kwa Community Forest Corporation for their continued support of food security programs for students.
"We are incredibly grateful to Wetzin’kwa Community Forest Corporation for their generous support of our breakfast club and campus food bank. These funds go directly toward providing students with nutritious meals and essential food supplies, ensuring they can focus on their studies and thrive in their college experience. This investment not only supports student wellbeing but also strengthens our community as a whole," she says.
CMTN has food banks on all our campuses that students can access on-demand. Breakfast Club provides free bagels, toast, cereal, granola bars, fruit, yogurt, juice, oatmeal, and more once a week at all our campuses.
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Media Contact:
Heather Bastin
Executive Director, External Relations
hbastin@coastmountaincollege.ca
250-635-6511 ext. 5494