For some regular attendees of the annual Salt Spring Island Fall Fair, there’s one food booth they just can’t pass by. Every year, Thrifty Foods barbecues up delicious racks of pork ribs, with coleslaw and a bun, with all proceeds going to island charities.
Thrifty’s donates the food, says the Salt Spring store’s assistant manager Sandra Crandall, so every dollar collected goes back to the community. This year the Fall Fair booth brought in about $3,500.
“That money supports lots of local charities, including the Salt Spring Island Farmers’ Institute, because food security is really important, and we want to make sure we are supporting our farmers,” says Crandall.
The institute is always in need of funds to improve its infrastructure, so this year’s donation from Thrifty Foods will help with projects such as roof repairs on the grounds’ buildings.
“I don’t think people understand how important the Farmers’ Institute is, and what actually goes on during the course of a year out there,” says Crandall, who is also an institute board member.
Island Community Services’ Christmas programs are another beneficiary of Fall Fair booth funds, with Thrifty Foods providing Smile Cards and several other items for two or three families at Christmas time. Beyond that, the Christmas Hamper program is also generously supported, and Gabriel’s Kitchen — a hugely successful community meal initiative — receives food donations from Thrifty’s. The local store also provides support to the Cops for Cancer – Tour de Rock and countless Salt Spring Island groups.
In addition to raising funds for charity, Crandall says the store’s staff members also really enjoy being at the fair.
“The Fall Fair is a lot of fun. I really enjoy being there,” she says. “It also gives us a chance to connect with our community in a huge way.”
Both this year and last, volunteers walked around the grounds offering slices of watermelon donated by Thrifty’s to fair attendees.
Thrifty Foods Salt Spring welcomes shoppers daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 114 Purvis Lane in Ganges. Visit thriftyfoods.com for the latest news, new products and events, or follow them on Facebook.