A hand-crafted gift under the tree this Christmas can help put food in the pantries and refrigerators of struggling families in the Tri-Cities year round.
PoMoArts is hosting its second annual Winter Treasures artisan market through Dec. 20 to support the Immigrant Link Centre Society (ILCS) that rescues surplus fresh food from local shops and redistributes it to newcomers struggling to get a toehold in their new environs.
Deanna Kayne, executive director of PoMoArts, said the works of 65 artists and artisans who made it through a curation process that began months ago are represented in the market.
And while they still receive the proceeds from the sale of their handiwork, purchasers can help support the cause by making a donation at the till.
Last year's inaugural market raised $1,300 for the SHARE food bank.
Kayne said this year’s effort, that began Nov. 9, is on pace to match that, although it would be nice if it did even better.
Kayne added the arts can play an important role in helping communities address societal challenges like food insecurity.
"It's an opportunity to raise exposure about the issue," she said. "The arts bring joy and can impact social issues."
Kayne said the money raised from this year's market will have a lasting impact, as ILCS will be putting it toward improving the infrastructure it needs to operate 13 centres that distribute one million tonnes of fresh and nutritious food annually, as well as provide job skills and social connections to volunteers, many of whom are recent immigrants themselves.
The Winter Treasures market is open daily at PoMoArts (2425 St Johns St.), from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.
For more information, including profiles of participating artists and their work, go to the PoMoArts website.
