By Kendall Gross, President, Island Savings
Salt Spring Island is much more than just a place we serve — it’s a community we cherish and are proud to be a part of. For 50 years, Island Savings has been part of the island’s unique spirit, resilience and pride, actively engaging with the community, offering support during challenging times, and celebrating successes together.
Just a few weeks ago, you might’ve spotted our team at Country Grocer as part of our Blue Blitz community initiative. It’s our way of connecting with the Salt Spring community — one small act of kindness at a time. Whether it’s a sweet treat, a warm coffee, or a surprise gift card, we love bringing a little joy to someone’s day. After all, it’s often the little things that leave the biggest smiles.
I want to take this opportunity to share some exciting updates, upcoming events, and discuss a few of our programs and partners that we hold dear.
Celebrating community investment on Salt Spring Island
Nearly ten years ago, Island Savings launched a new program to raise food, funds and awareness for local food banks — known as The Full Cupboard — this community-based program has been instrumental in meeting the needs of families across Salt Spring Island. This initiative has raised over $12,477 that has gone directly to the Salt Spring Island Food Bank.
When we invest in the community, it goes far beyond simply cutting a cheque. We look to be a true partner and build up the organizations we align ourselves to. One of the ways we do this is through our team member volunteer program, “Lead Well,” which enables our employees to contribute their time and skills to local organizations. In 2024 alone, our team members donated 137 volunteer hours locally.
When Island Savings joined First West Credit Union in 2015, one of the amazing things our community partners gained access to is the First West Foundation granting program. Since 2020, $119,725 has been granted to 12 registered charities serving Salt Spring Island through the Island Savings Community Endowment.
Join us at ArtSpring Presents and the Summer Outdoor Concert Series
Island Savings is the proud partner of the 2024-25 ArtSpring Presents season, which includes 36 live performances, Met Opera, a Bateman visual art exhibition, workshops and more. For more information, visit www.artspring.ca.
Island Savings, along with our friends at Country Grocer, are co-sponsors of the Summer Outdoor Concert Series hosted by the Salt Spring Arts Council. The concert series is a collection of weekly concerts in the heart of Ganges on Salt Spring Island. To learn more, visit www.saltspringarts.com.
Island Savings’ steadfast commitment to Salt Spring Island
Our credit union has consistently maintained a strong financial position over the years, making strategic decisions to ensure steady growth. If you keep an eye on local real estate listings, you may notice our branch building is listed for sale. Make no mistake: Island Savings is 100% committed to maintaining a physical branch in the Salt Spring Island community, now and in the future. Freeing up valuable real estate capital is a common practice and enables us to be nimbler and invest in activities that drive value for our members and the community.
A condition of sale will be that we lease the building back from a new owner on a long-term basis. We believe in the power of authentic connection through face-to-face advisory conversations. Having a local team of expert financial advisors based on Salt Spring Island in a physical branch is important to us for building even deeper relationships with our 10,000 local members here.
A special invitation to our member appreciation event
Lastly, I’m thrilled to be announced that we’ll be holding a member appreciation event at our Salt Spring Island Branch. We invite you to drop by and enjoy some locally sourced treats and connect with our team, including me.
- When: Thursday, July 3rd, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
- Where: Island Savings Salt Spring Island Branch, 124 McPhillips Ave
I want to assure you that all our decisions have, and always will be, with our members firmly at the centre. Thank you for your continued trust and support. I hope to see you out at some of the amazing Salt Spring Island events happening this summer!
Kendall Gross is president of Island Savings, a division of First West Credit Union. Connect with Kendall at president@islandsavings.ca.