Two family-run businesses have partnered to bring wholesome food to Big Bear’s food banks for those in need. At the new yoga studios of Equada Outfitters, proceeds from the 6pm community class on Tuesdays are used to purchase food for distribution to local food banks; last week’s beneficiary was the Four Square Church. The food purchased by the Fulkerson family of Equada Outfitters is not just any food, but organic produce, which is provided at wholesale cost by Sol Food Market. As Susie Lerma, owner of the health food store, explains, the produce is not only organic, but also grown locally through the Inland Orange Conservancy and family-run farms in Mentone, Redlands, San Timoteo Canyon and Yucca Valley. The community yoga class, available at the Equada studio on Pine Knot Avenue, had last year generated a $1000 donation to the Bear Valley Animal Shelter. “This says a lot about our community,” Rene Fulkerson tells KBHR. “Even though we offer yoga classes seven days a week, we get a great turnout on Tuesdays, because people are eager to not only feel good, but to feel good about giving back.”
In other news of local businesses going above and beyond to give back, the Alderwood Group, a management services company, is sponsoring a dog for adoption through Bear Mountain Dog Rescue. Says Tom Johnson, Alderwood’s CEO, “We know our success is linked to the quality of life in our community. We believe investing in, and helping, others inspires all of us to build the kind of town we are proud to be a part of.”