December 2, 2021 – Vancouver, British Columbia – Western Forest Products (“Western”) is again teaming up with community groups and First Nations partners across the areas it operates to give back during the holiday season. The company is contributing $100,000 to 30 community groups and First Nations partners to help provide food and toys for the holidays where they are needed the most on the coast of B.C. and Washington State.
“We recognize the recent supply chain issues combined with higher-than-usual demand since the pandemic started puts additional strain on services accessed by those requiring support. This donation is one small way we can support individuals and families in need and spread some hope and happiness during the holiday season,” said Don Demens, President and CEO of Western. “This is a time for giving, and we are grateful that we are able to do our part to make the holidays a little merrier for those dealing with hardship.”
Savanna Dee, Manager of the Powell River Action Center Food Bank, said the organization’s frontline workers have seen a large increase in need this year.
“With these unprecedented times of this pandemic, help is needed more than ever at the food bank. We could not operate without donations from the public and companies, like Western Forest Products, make all the difference. Christmas is a crucial time of year as we struggle with the increased demand and we really appreciate Western Forest Products for helping us ‘Feed Our Community’,” said Dee.
The Cowichan Valley Basket Society (CVBS), a recipient of Western’s funding, will use the funding for those that access its community soup kitchen and food bank.
“Donations to the CVBS allow us to continue to work towards alleviating hunger within the Cowichan Valley. Canadian food banks will typically distribute between $5 and $9 of food for every $1 received in donations, over the course of a year. The CVBS is no exception and as a result, financial donations are crucial to everything we do,” said Lee Smith, Board of Directors Chairperson, CVBS. “As we approach Christmas 2021, we are seeing the demand for our services steadily rising, as exacerbated by recent flooding events. We are very grateful to Western Forest Products for their generous and on-going supports.”
The company’s donations to individual groups vary in amount corresponding to community size or needs.
Today’s donations continue the company’s long-term commitment of investing in community needs in the areas where its employees live and work. Through Western’s Community Enhancement Fund, the company provides support to local community events, organizations and initiatives. Western takes pride in its commitment to sustainable and stable communities in the areas in which it operates, including through community contributions, the purchase of local goods and services, local employment and taxes.
About Western Forest Products Inc.
Western is an integrated forest products company building a margin-focused log and lumber business to compete successfully in global softwood markets. With operations and employees located primarily on the coast of British Columbia and Washington State, Western is a premier supplier of high-value, specialty forest products to worldwide markets. Western has a lumber capacity in excess of 1.0 billion board feet from seven sawmills and four remanufacturing facilities. The Company sources timber from its private lands, long-term licenses, First Nations arrangements, and market purchases. Western supplements its production through a wholesale program providing customers with a comprehensive range of specialty products.
For further information, please contact:
Babita Khunkhun
Senior Director, Communications
(604) 220-4923