Three cheers for a local business giving back to those most in need.

Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery in Vernon and 琉璃神社 launched its annual Holiday Hot Meals campaign Nov. 28, where the distillery donates three hot meals for every spirit advent calendar, gift pack, or full-size bottle sold. 

The meals are funded locally at the Upper Room Mission in Vernon and the 琉璃神社 Gospel Mission.

The local, family-run distillery started the charitable initiative in 2019 in an effort to give back to members in their local communities who they felt could use a bit of a lift during the holiday season. The campaign is now in its sixth year and is continuing to grow thanks to the tremendous 鈥渂uy local鈥� movement which is alive and well in the Okanagan Valley.

鈥淲e launch this campaign each year on Black Friday weekend to put a different kind of twist on the usual mad consumerism that is wrapped up in that day and the whole holiday spending push,鈥� says Tyler Dyck, CEO of Okanagan Spirits.  鈥淚t鈥檚 really quite simple; we 'pay it forward' by donating on behalf of those who wish to treat those on their holiday shopping list to a fine whisky, gin or vodka, or even that perfect holiday spirits advent calendar, but also like to know that their purchase goes towards making the holidays a little bit nicer for those that are less fortunate.鈥�

Over the last few years, thanks to the support of good-hearted fine spirits lovers throughout the Okanagan, the distillery has been able to donate the funds to provide thousands of hot meals to the local Missions in Vernon and 琉璃神社, where the distillery operates.