Rocky Mountain Chocolate to Donate $500k Worth of the Sweet Stuff
Canadian chocolatier will provide sweet treats to non-profit organizations, frontline healthcare workers, at-risk individuals and community groups across the country
Rocky Mountain Chocolate has announced it will be donating more than $500,000 (25,000 lbs) worth of handcrafted chocolates and confections to local charities, frontline healthcare workers, food banks, nursing homes and community groups across Canada over the next few weeks in an effort to give back to those in need.
More than 50 franchisees, representing 65 locations coast to coast, and hundreds of corporate and retail staff will be participating in the company-wide initiative, giving many employees the opportunity to return to work - while adhering to strict social distancing protocols - in order to produce and package inventory to be donated.
Rocky Mountain Chocolate launched its new community initiative last week, partnering with Dr. Saul Isserow at SportsCardiologyBC to provide $22,000 worth of premium chocolate products to first responders, doctors, nurses and support staff at UBC Hospital in Vancouver and long-term care facilities across the Lower Mainland. On Monday, April 6, the beloved chocolate company donated $45,000 worth of chocolate to the Union Gospel Mission, a charitable organization offering support services to those struggling with homelessness and addiction in the Metro Vancouver area. And just in time for Easter, Rocky Mountain Chocolate will be giving a sweet surprise to at-risk and vulnerable children in the Vancouver area with a seasonal chocolate donation valued at $15,000 in partnership with the Vancouver Firefighters Charities' Snacks for Kidsprogram as well as a special delivery to BC Children's Hospital.
Founded in 1988 in Whistler, BC by husband and wife team Brian and Tammi Kerzner, Rocky Mountain Chocolate offers an interactive 'kid in a candy store' experience with a wide selection of gourmet confections and sweet treats made right on site, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the production process. Retail offerings include premium chocolate confections, nut brittle, specialty popcorn, caramel apples coated in a variety of nostalgic and novelty toppings, handcrafted ice cream, and fudge available in more than 40 unique flavours.
While Rocky Mountain Chocolate has temporarily closed the majority of its brick-and-mortar stores across the country in response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, many chocolate products and Easter-themed gift packages are available for purchase online with select retail locations currently offering free local delivery and contactless pick-up where possible.
"We are living through an incredibly difficult time right now and the COVID-19 crisis has had a devastating impact on our franchise owners, retail staff and their families," says Brian Kerzner, president of Rocky Mountain Chocolate. "With our individual stores currently closed, our corporate team and franchisees are coming together to provide support for our staff while also giving back to those who are on the front lines of this crisis. Easter is one of our favourite holidays as a company and we are doing everything we can to continue offering seasonal treats to our customers to provide them with a sense of normalcy over the holidays, while also offering a sweet escape to communities and individuals in need during this challenging time."
