Human and social service organizations that help citizens in need in communities throughout British Columbia shared $24,516,591 in community gaming grants during fiscal year 2015-16, Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Peter Fassbender said today.

Community gaming grants benefit food banks, hospital auxiliaries, hospice societies, wellness providers, service clubs, counselling services and organizations that assist people coping with challenging life situations, including addictions, serious injuries or disabilities.

Examples of organizations that received human and social services grants include:

• Kamloops Foodbank and Outreach Society – $130,000
• Prince George Native Friendship Centre Society – $100,000
• Richmond Women’s Resource Centre Association – $50,000
• Comox Valley Therapeutic Riding Society – $43,600
• Rotary Club of Cranbrook – $25,000

For a full list of human and social services community gaming grants approved in 2015-16, visit: http://ow.ly/YI6KQ

Every year, the Government of British Columbia approves community gaming grants distributed among specific sectors, including arts and culture, sport, environment, public safety, human and social services, parent advisory councils and district parent advisory councils. The human and social services sector receives the largest share of annual gaming grant funding.

Quote:

Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Peter Fassbender –

“British Columbians who face challenging personal situations count on the compassionate support of the human and social service organizations in their local communities. Every year, these organizations receive the largest portion of approximately $135 million in community gaming grants approved by the B.C. government. I commend them for the wonderful work they do to help people in need.”

Quick Fact:

Over 5,000 local organizations representing virtually every community in the province receive community gaming grants annually from the B.C. government.

Learn More:

For information on how to apply for a B.C. community gaming grant, visit: https://www.gaming.gov.bc.ca/grants/index.htm

Check out the provincial government’s role in supporting communities, sport, arts and culture through the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/cscd