2024 Betty Urquhart Award: Free Store Chilliwack feeds community spirit

Raylene Mumford (back row, centre) at the St’elt’elawtexw Community Celebration, pictured with her colleagues from The Free Store

At the University of the Fraser Valley, community is a part of who we are. When it was founded 50 years ago, Betty Urquhart was among the very first staff members who made this school what it is today. She was an avid volunteer with a strong belief in giving back – after her passing in 1995, UFV has kept that legacy alive with an award in her name. The Betty Urquhart Award goes to a person or a collective who has made an extraordinary contribution to a community within the Fraser Valley.

This year’s Betty Urquhart Award goes to Free Store Chilliwack, founded by UFV alumna Raylene Mumford (Dip ‘98).

After spending 17 years working in the fields of mental health and addiction, Raylene noticed the impact that food security can make on a community’s wellbeing. To address the increasing need she saw due to rising food costs, she founded Free Store Chilliwack in 2021 – a volunteer-run non-profit, providing fresh food, clothing, hygiene and houseware products free of charge.

Raylene directs The Free Store on top of her full-time administration work for the Skwah First Nation, giving up her weekends to help feed 300 local families. The Free Store also runs social programming that fosters children’s literacy and a gardening program that teaches community members how to grow, can, and repurpose their own food.

John Pankratz, Chair of the UFV Board of Governors, presented the award to Raylene last week at the St’elt’elawtexw Community Celebration, where The Free Store was honoured for their contributions along with community partners and distinguished alumni.

“The Free Store’s mission is not just to feed people, but to foster community spirit and collective strength in the face of adversity,” he said.

Free Store Chilliwack values environmental responsibility. They put that into action by partnering with local farms to turn their surplus into valuable resources, maintaining less than three per cent waste. The Free Store uses a zero-barrier approach to ensure their services are as accessible as possible. People can take what they need: no charge, no questions, and no judgments. They prioritize dignity, respect and human connection as part of their mission.

Under a canopy of twinkling lights on September 26, the Fraser Valley community came together to celebrate leaders who make the world a little brighter. In addition to the plaque they received at the St’elt’elawtexw Community Celebration, The Free Store will also receive a monetary prize toward a charity of their choice. This annual award represents an essential part of UFV’s ongoing commitment to changing lives and building community.

“We are proud to recognize the efforts of Raylene and the community-minded volunteers who have made The Free Store such an amazing success,” said John.

If you’d like to support the mission of Free Store Chilliwack, they accept food donations and gently used second hand items. Visit their website to find out more.