WHO WE ARE

We are Whistlerites

We are Whistler Locals who all have a shared vision – to give back to our community.  This will take thousands of hours and we are committed.  Here is what we’ve done to get started:

It took 1 person over 70 hours to set up the society (#S0078731), create the vision, connect with people, visit similar programs, establish partnerships and set up the board. Thanks Natalie!

It took 2 people 2 hours to get an article in the Pique which resulted in 15 people stepping forward to help and making it a reality. Thanks Brandon & Natalie!

It took 3 people over 20 hours to set up a domain, build this website and create content. Thanks Anna, Stefan & Natalie!

It took 2 people over 10 hours to find a suitable space for our first fundraising event. Thanks Kera & Natalie!

We gratefully and respectfully acknowledge that R.O.C.K.S operates on the unceded territories of the Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh and Líl̓wat Nations.

Our Promise 

Every donation, regardless of size, is significant to us. We will express our gratitude and recognition for your generosity through newsletters, and acknowledgment in our reports.

We pledge to maintain complete transparency in our financial operations. We’ll provide regular updates, so you can see exactly how your contributions are being utilized.

We are committed to using your donations to drive meaningful change and create a positive impact in our community.

We welcome your questions, feedback, and suggestions. We are here to engage in open and honest communication. 

Board Of Directors

Natalie Kingi, Founder and Director

I believe everyone needs a purpose in life and a sense of community.  I’m proud of what I’ve achieved in my career, with my family, travelling and sports, but am still wanting more.  I want to give back in an impactful way and recreate a sense of community with the amazing people who live in Whistler.  I’ve travelled the world and think that food is always a great way to connect, no matter who you are, or where you are from, so this is how I want to do it.  I have a vision for an open community space that centres around food, whether it’s preparing, serving, eating, storing or creating with it .  This is my time to bring this vision to life and I’m looking forward to the journey ahead.

LinkedIn

Celeste Banning, Director

After spending 30 years in Vancouver’s criminal courts as a Crown prosecutor, I was overjoyed to become a Whistler resident and join this unique community. As a strong believer that free and inviting third spaces are essential to community and individual wellbeing, I serve on the Board of the Whistler Public Library. While still living in Vancouver, I was a long-term volunteer at a Downtown East Side community kitchen which served about 80-90 hot dinners nightly, made mostly from donated food that would have otherwise gone to waste. Whistler is a very different kind of community but even paradise has its troubles, and seeing many here struggle with access to a kitchen, the high cost of groceries locally, or both, I’m committed to creating a local community kitchen.

Ann Franssen, Director

I was born in Scotland and have lived in Canada since 1989. I have always been passionate about waste. I grew up in a family where wasting food just didn’t happen. That’s why I love the idea of preventing good food from being wasted and at the same time preparing it to be enjoyed by those who need it the most.

Tatiana Stanev, Director

I come from a faraway land very few have heard of, called Moldova. It is a small place full of both majestic and sad history. My country has always cherished its prolific lands and its food and has been a strong cultural component drilled into our consciousness: NEVER waste any food. It can be a real luxury at times. This motto has been part of my being since always and cooking is a big part of who I am and where I come from. It is also a centric part of any tightly woven community, and through ROCKS’s mission, I believe we can provide nourishing, well-balanced meals and a space for connection, interaction and support.


Kera Heringa, Director

I consider Whistler to be my home and would love the opportunity to contribute to our community through a local food-based initiative. Food and sustainability are two major passions of mine, so to be able to combine the two while giving back to our deserving community is beyond exciting. My love of Whistler and the environment began during childhood; through spending my free time skiing and hiking in the mountains. While we are all lucky to live in such an extraordinary environment, it can certainly come at a price. If we can ease the cost of a warm meal and provide a sense of belongingness, that would be priceless! I look forward to giving back to a community that has given me so much!

Jack Coombes, Director

I am originally from New Zealand, but since moving to Whistler 3 years ago, I am always looking for ways to contribute to this welcoming community. Natalie’s vision of a community kitchen is something Whistler has been missing and it offers a way to give back to the awesome people who make this place what it is.