First West Brings in Donations Across the Province to Fight Hunger on World Food Day

LANGLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Oct. 15, 2014) - First West Credit Union is helping to fight a global crisis in towns and cities across the province. According to a United Nations Report, an estimated 803 million people around the world go hungry because they do not have enough food. In Canada alone, more than 800,000 people used food banks on a monthly basis last year-more than 300,000 of which were children.

On October 16, First West is joining organizations around the globe for World Food Day, an international day of action to help men, women and children around the world who do not have enough to eat.

"Too many people around the world and in our local communities go without access to food on a daily basis," says Launi Skinner, chief executive officer of First West Credit Union. "Crises like this seem daunting because they are on a global scale, but we have to start somewhere. For First West, we've chosen to take action at a local level."

Throughout the year, First West Credit Union's local divisions-Envision Financial, Valley First and Enderby & District Financial-bring in large amounts of food and money through two major community investment programs, The Full Cupboard and Feed the Valley. The results have been impressive. In B.C.'s Southern Interior, Feed the Valley has collected $720,103 and 60,681 pounds of food since 2010, well on track to surpass its $1 million 10-year goal. For the Fraser Valley and Kitimat, The Full Cupboard has raised an impressive $141,735 and 16,919 pounds of food in just over 18 months.

"We're proud to help lead the fight against hunger in our communities," says Susan Byrom, manager of community investment at First West. "For all of our team members, it's so rewarding to know that we can make a real and positive difference in the lives of those who live right here in our communities."

Anyone who wants to help fight hunger on World Food Day is encouraged to donate food or cash to The Full Cupboard or Feed the Valley at any Envision Financial, Valley First or Enderby & District Financial branch, or online at:

• www.envisionfinancial.ca/Personal/Community
• www.valleyfirst.com/Personal/Community
• www.enderbyfinancial.com/Personal/Community

100% of all donations go towards food banks in the community.

About First West Credit Union

First West Credit Union offers members the financial strength, comprehensive product selection and extended branch network of a large financial institution while maintaining local brand identities and a unique grassroots approach to service. Led by Launi Skinner, First West is British Columbia's third-largest credit union with $7.7 billion in assets under administration, more than 177,000 members and close to 1,300 employees. It operates 38 branches throughout the province under the Envision Financial, Valley First and Enderby & District Financial brands. For more information on First West Credit Union, visit firstwestcu.ca.

Follow us on Twitter: @firstwestcu