Saturday marked the launch of a campaign to support a local effort for a new youth mental health centre, Foundry Kelowna.
Save On Foods locations in the Central Okanagan are teaming up in support the Foundry, an initiative spearheaded by the KGH Foundation and Canadian Mental Health Association that will combine all youth services under one roof.
For two weeks, from June 11 to 24, Save On Foods staff will be asking customers to donate $2 at the till. All funds raised will go to support the Not Alone fundraising campaign, a $2 million initiative to build Foundry Kelowna.
“It’s incredibly important for us to support this local cause,” says Todd Ryder, assistant store manager at the Orchard Plaza Save On Foods, speaking on behalf of the grocery store chain’s six locations in the Central Okanagan. “As a company, Save On Foods provides annual fundraising support to BC Children’s Hospital, so it’s exciting to have an opportunity to support youth here at home.”
Mental illness affects one in five youth aged 12 to 24. Last year, over 1,200 youth visited the Emergency Department at Kelowna General Hospital citing acute mental illness and substance use challenges.
Foundry Kelowna will not only make finding help easier and faster, its focus on youth will raise awareness of the importance of early intervention for this vulnerable demographic
“The community support for this cause and campaign has been spectacular,” said Allison Ramchuk, senior development officer with the KGH Foundation. “To see businesses and individuals come forward and share stories and give – it’s nothing short of inspirational. It’s commitments like this from Save On Foods that are helping make a difference, reducing stigma and improving care for too many young people in Kelowna.”