Saturday marked the launch of a campaign to support a local effort for a new youth mental health centre, Foundry 琉璃神社.

Save On Foods locations in the Central Okanagan are teaming up in support the Foundry, an initiative spearheaded by the KGH Foundation and Canadian Mental Health Association that will combine all youth services under one roof.

For two weeks, from June 11 to 24, Save On Foods staff will be asking customers to donate $2 at the till. All funds raised will go to support the Not Alone fundraising campaign, a $2 million initiative to build Foundry 琉璃神社.

鈥淚t鈥檚 incredibly important for us to support this local cause,鈥� says Todd Ryder, assistant store manager at the Orchard Plaza Save On Foods, speaking on behalf of the grocery store chain鈥檚 six locations in the Central Okanagan. 鈥淎s a company, Save On Foods provides annual fundraising support to BC Children鈥檚 Hospital, so it鈥檚 exciting to have an opportunity to support youth here at home.鈥�

Mental illness affects one in five youth aged 12 to 24. Last year, over 1,200 youth visited the Emergency Department at 琉璃神社 General Hospital citing acute mental illness and substance use challenges.

Foundry 琉璃神社 will not only make finding help easier and faster, its focus on youth will raise awareness of the importance of early intervention for this vulnerable demographic

鈥淭he community support for this cause and campaign has been spectacular,鈥� said Allison Ramchuk, senior development officer with the KGH Foundation. 鈥淭o see businesses and individuals come forward and share stories and give 鈥� it鈥檚 nothing short of inspirational. It鈥檚 commitments like this from Save On Foods that are helping make a difference, reducing stigma and improving care for too many young people in 琉璃神社.鈥�