Two years ahead of schedule, Save-On-Foods has raised millions of dollars to help B.C.'s sick kids.
The Western Canadian grocer, with its head office in Langley, made a pledge back in 2016 to raise $15 million for BC Children's Hospital.
President Darrell Jones gave the company 10 years to achieve that lofty goal. But this fall, the Save-On-Foods boss confirmed they've already reached that goal.
“Achieving our pledge to raise $15 million for BC Children’s Hospital two years ahead of schedule is a major accomplishment, and one I am so thrilled to be part of,” said Jones.
“This milestone was made possible by millions of people – our incredible team members, generous customers, and amazing supplier and business partners – and together, we’ve helped enable the experts at BC Children’s Hospital to provide their life-changing care and research. Thank you to each and every person who helped Save-On-Foods achieve our pledge.”
The funds from this pledge were committed to the hospital’s urgent equipment needs and to building Canada’s first in-hospital pediatric walk-in immunization clinic, which opened its doors in 2017, Jones explained when announcing the money was raised by teams in nearly 190 stores from B.C. to Manitoba.
Close to 400 assistant store managers from Save-On-Foods stores across Western Canada were gathered in Vancouver for a business meeting when the announcement was made.
To celebrate, the team members set a new Guinness World Record for assembling the most care packages for a hospital in one hour.
Save-On-Foods is officially the new record holder after putting together 4,007 care packages – far exceeding the previous record of 2,522. The care packages will be delivered to BCCH this month. Each care package contains nine items that will provide hygiene, comfort and entertainment to young patients at BCCH.
The support of Save-On-Foods has empowered BC Children’s Hospital to bring some of its "boldest ambitions to life," said Malcolm Berry, BC Children’s Hospital Foundation president and CEO.
"They have supported novel initiatives such as the Save-On-Foods Family Immunization Clinic, brought specialized care closer to home for kids throughout the province with Child Health BC, and equipped BC Children’s with transformative technologies that are saving lives,” Berry elaborated.
“The Save-On-Foods team, customers, and partners have played an essential role in ensuring children across our province receive the best care possible. The completion of this remarkable $15 million pledge fills us with gratitude and excitement for the future we will continue to build together.”
Save-On-Foods’ support of BC Children’s Hospital dates back more than 30 years, and as the chain expanded eastward, it began supporting the other children’s hospitals in Western Canada.
Although this 10-year pledge was met two years early, it doesn’t mark the end of giving to BC Children’s Hospital, said Jones, noting details about Save-On-Foods’ next pledge will be announced later in the fall.
