The 1st Annual Families Helping Families Customer Appreciation Day sponsored by Simply Delicious Natural & Gourmet Market raised $1,000 in support of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Vernon & District.

“We are incredibly grateful for the generous support from the great team at Simply Delicious and their wonderful customers who helped make this happen,” said Julia Payson, Executive Director for CMHA Vernon & District. “Community members encouraging and helping each other is at the core of what we do.”

Funds will be used to purchase food items for 24th Ave, a 12-bed residential facility owned and operated by CMHA Vernon that focuses on health recovery, community supports and integration, and wellness for adults managing persistent mental health issues.

“Good nutrition is a vital part of a person’s physical and mental well-being,” said Payson. “It is one of the key social determinants of health along with income and housing. Our staff and residents appreciate both the healthy food and the welcoming atmosphere when they shop at Simply Delicious. This generous gift will enhance their nourishment.”

Simply Delicious has been a Vernon mainstay for the past 35 years. Vernon residents Troy and Dinora Roland purchased the store two years ago. “We wanted to stand behind a great cause and show the importance of people helping people,” said Troy. “We hold customer appreciation days the first Tuesday of each month. This year for December we wanted to do something extra for the community,” he said.

The event took place December 4 with the first 300 customers receiving a gift card for accommodations at a Cancun resort. Every customer who purchased items, was entered into the grand prize draw for an all-inclusive stay in the Riviera Maya.

The Rolands and the Simply Delicious team plan to host this event annually to continue supporting CMHA Vernon and its programs to improve mental health in the North Okanagan.