91原创-based First West Foundation, through its Envision Financial Community Endowment, is granting $414,000 this year across 26 charities in B.C., among them was one local charity endeavour.

91原创 Meals on Wheels received a $25,000 grant for a kitchen upgrade that executive director Shannon Woykin said is critical.

"We urgently need to double our range and convection oven capacity," she said. "This expansion isn't just about meeting numbers; it's about ensuring we can keep pace with the ever-increasing need and continue making a tangible difference in our community."

A total of $684,700 is being distributed in the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, and Kitimat regions, through the foundation鈥檚 regional community endowments represented by First West Credit Union鈥檚 four local brands 鈥� Envision Financial, Valley First, Island Savings, and Enderby & District Financial

This year, the foundation focused on grants that align with six sustainable development goals: no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, reduced inequalities, and partnerships for these goals, said executive director Susan Byrom.

"鈥淥ur team embraces trust-based philanthropy principles, and one way we鈥檝e implemented this is by providing multi-year commitments to our community partners,鈥� she explained.

The sustainable development goals are a set of 17 goals aimed at addressing various global challenges.

"By providing grant funds over an extended period, we empower our partners to plan and execute longer-term projects without the constraints of short-term funding uncertainty," Byrom said.

Since 1998, the Envision Financial Community Endowment has provided 591 grants, totalling more than $7.5 million.