Askew’s Foods contributes $100,000 to Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail

Askew’s Foods has given the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail a big boost with a $100,000 donation.

The donation will support construction of the trail, which will run from Sicamous to Armstrong along the decommissioned rail line.

Askew’s president David Askew said the donation follows the company’s previous collaboration with the project to kick off the fundraising campaign by selling rail trail greeting cards and matching sales.

Askew’s matched the card sales with a $7,040 donation, and the greeting cards will be available again this holiday season.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a great increase in the public’s interest in outdoor recreation, and there has been research showing the outdoors are good for mental health. The Sicamous to Armstrong rail trail will be a wonderful addition to an already extensive trail network that we are so fortunate to have here in the Shuswap," said Askew.

Askew’s community giving program exceeds 5% of its net profits each year.

"Together, with the support of rail trail donors like Askew’s Foods, we are going to build a world-class multi-use trail connecting communities from Sicamous to Armstrong while unfolding the true story within Secwépemc territory," added fundraising strategy co-ordinator Alex de Chantal.

To donate, visit www.ShuswapNorthOkanaganRailTrail.ca/donate.

The trail corridor is co-owned by the Columbia Shuswap and North Okanagan regional districts and Splatsin te Secwépemc.

The project also recently received a $500,000 BC Active Transportation grant for preliminary work on the 19.8-kilometre section from Sicamous to Mara.