As part of its community outreach program, every year, BCLC supports B.C.-based community arts, culture and sporting events across the province. Last year, BCLC invited festival attendees to help create custom community-focused murals as part of its pop-up event tent.
Festivalgoers came together to add a coloured dot to the murals, with each dot representing a can of food, that BCLC would provide to their local food bank—in an effort to reduce local food insecurity. The mural designs were tailored to each community—recreating a landmark or landscape unique to their area.
“We wanted to find an additional way to give back in each community,” said Ann Newman, manager, Partnerships and Community Investment at BCLC. “We were there in support of impactful, local events and we thought the murals were a great way to start a conversation about the local food bank at our tent and support a great cause.”
Twelve unique murals were created over three months, with BCLC representatives making deliveries to food banks in Victoria, Vancouver, Surrey, Richmond, Mission, Kamloops, Kelowna, Salmon Arm, Terrace, Prince Rupert, Castlegar and Quesnel , accompanied by gift cards for local grocers to support their local food security initiatives.
“We appreciate our ongoing relationship with BCLC. As one of their employee-chosen charities, their employees have supported and volunteered with us for many years,” said Olivia Qi, Development Manager at the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. “This piece will brighten up the volunteer lounge at our new Vancouver facility, where we welcome hundreds of volunteers each month—individuals who play a vital role in helping us support the community.”
Since its launch in 2017, a key component to BCLC’s community outreach program has been sponsoring events that bring communities together and create meaningful connections within the community. In 2024, this included Folktoria, Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival, Surrey Fusion Festival, Steveston Dragon Boat Festival, Mission Summer Festival, Kamloops Canada Day, Mid Summer Music Jam, Kamloops Northpaws Baseball, Kelowna Canada Day, Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival, Riverboat Days, Sea Fest, Castlegar Sunfest and Billy Barker Days.
