Paradise donates to food bank, updates donations policy

By Mark Squibb

Paradise council last week approved a $1,000 donation to the CBS/Paradise Food Bank.

Councillor Larry Vaters explained the Town had received a donation request from the food bank, noting Paradise has been donating to the service for many years.
“The CBS/Paradise Food Bank supports those residents in need in the towns of CBS and Paradise, and council approved a donation, during the budgetary process, of a thousand dollars,” said Vaters.

“There’s so many people in need these days, and if we’re going to donate money, I think this is a good place to put our money,” said councillor Patrick Martin. “I think it’s a great place to give a donation.”

Council unanimously approved the motion.

Meanwhile, council has also adopted an updated policy for donations and community grants.

“Council adopted a donation policy in 2006 to support various individuals, groups and organizations that support the mandate of the Town,” said Vaters. “The policy was updated a few years ago to create the Annual Donation Policy, which saw groups receiving sponsorship based on their level of membership within the Town of Paradise. However, in the past, the Town has received requests that would meet the mandate of the Town but were not eligible due to the language in the policy.”
Vaters said the changes will ensure that grants and sponsorships will be distributed more equitably and based on the applicants’ needs.

Donations and community grants can be requested under several categories including sports, recreation, arts, community and cultural, and environmental.

Additionally, council will entertain requests for donations under a supplemental program to support events and conferences, youth travel, and the arts.
Donations are given based on availability of funding.

Councillor Glen Carew called the new policy a more robust and inclusive program than the former one.

He added that in times past council would have liked to donate to certain causes but was unable to due to the policy.

Council approved the new policy unanimously.