The rag-tag crowd gathered beside Gibsons SuperValu’s produce section drew the odd questioning eye from passing shoppers Tuesday evening.
Representatives from community organizations had gathered to hear who had won the two Coastal Community Grants SuperValu was to award that night.
Applicants from Gibsons Elementary, Gibsons Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Sunshine Coast Salmonid Enhancement Society, Gibsons Legion, the Butterflyway Rangers, 6th Roberts Creek Scout Group, Heritage Playhouse, Bellies and Babies and Parent and Tot Drop in, Plant, Paddle and Pulverise for the Planet, St. Bart's Community Hot Lunch Program, Sunshine Coast Labour Council, Suncoast Racquet Club, Sunshine Coast Women's Enduro, Tetrahedron Outdoor Club and Sunshine Shack at Gibsons Community Centre proponed a wide swath of projects – from school gardens, to building maintenance, to food purchasing.
“Being our first campaign, I didn’t think we would get many wonderful applicants, but was blown away that we received 15,” store owner Arif Ahmed told the crowd. “So, we sat through, reviewed all the applications, debated back and forth, and have decided that the recipients of the first ever Coastal Community Grants Program is…all of you.”
Each applicant received $500 from the program to a total of $7,500.
“Wow!” was one response, “wait, what?” was another.
With wide smiles, the couple dozen people gathered for a great grinning photo.
