New West shoppers are helping to support a diverse group of projects that are set to get underway in New West.
Donald’s Market and River Market recently announced the winners of this year’s ONE Prize, with three projects each receiving $2,000:
* Night Bright New West, proposed by So Are We Creative, will brighten the City’s nightlife with a series of summer night market events in the downtown area.
* Music by the River, a program by Arts Council of New Westminster, aims to foster local talent and to create opportunities for local musicians to perform for their friends and neighbours.
* Refood seeks to reduce unnecessary food waste by connecting local vendors, organizations serving people in need, and local high school student volunteers.
“We were also thrilled to learn that a few applicants have reached out to one another to collaborate on their projects,” said Leslie Shieh, River Market’s ONE project lead. For example, the Arts Council of New Westminster and Union Gospel Mission are going to work together on the UGM’s idea to pilot an art program that combines art history, art therapy, and skills development.
When ONE members shop at Donald’s Market and use their ONE key tag, the grocery store contributes one per cent of every dollar they spend to the community fund. This year, the fund has $6,000 in prize money.
“It’s a simple and powerful idea,” said Donald’s Market general manager Eric Siu. “Alone, one per cent of a grocery bill does little, but when pooled with your neighbours’ one per cent, it can support local projects that contribute to the place where we all live and work.”
River Market and Donald’s Market received 35 “outstanding” project submissions. After a jury of one River Market, one Donald’s Market staff and three New Westminster residents narrowed the projects down to 10, ONE members voted for the winners.
“We would like to thank and congratulate all the applicants for their ideas to benefit our city’s livability,” Shieh said in a press release. “This year is ONE Prize’s fourth year, and each year we have been greatly impressed by the project proposals. They demonstrate residents’ wish to contribute their time and skills to have a positive impact on where they live.”
To contribute to the ONE Prize fund, shoppers can sign up for their key tag at the checkout counter at Donald’s Market in River Market. Members also get discounts at River Market restaurants, shops, and businesses.
