About the Gathering Markit
Gathering Markit is a Non-Profit Boutique Grocery Store.We give food insecure families a place to shop for groceries with
Dignity, Choice and Convenience.
We Exist, Because Food Insecurity Affects Us All
When families can’t afford healthy food options, it leads to health, economic, and environmental concerns
Did you know 18% or 6.9 million families in Canada experienced food insecurity in 2022? What's worse, that number continues to rise.
Our Mission is to help struggling families purchase affordable food until their financial situation improves and they no longer need help because, we believe, everyone should have the right to nutritious food, regardless of their situation.
No One Should Go Hungry
Our vision, is to have a Gathering Markit in every community so more food-insecure families can regain their dignity by having the choice and convenience of purchasing affordable healthy food.
It's Important To Us That Every Customer Feels Valued And That No Food Is Wasted. We Do This By Being:
Compassionate
We are respectful and patient with our customers so they can have a peaceful shopping experience.
Creative Stewards
We maximize our recovered food donations by creatively turning them into meal kits.
Constructive Connectors
We are encouraging, supportive, and relational with our customers so they feel safe when it’s time to leave the Markit.
Each Gathering Markit offers a boutique grocery shopping experience in a beautiful welcoming envinronment.
Every Week Our Staff And Volunteers Help #___ Families Put Healthy Food On The Table
We are a small but mighty team.
Hieke Morton
Founder & Executive Director
Hieke is a Red Seal Chef and was the Owner of a Catering company for 30+ years and local High School Foods Teacher. To say she is passionate about food would be an understatement!
As a parent who struggled to provide for her own children in the past, she knows firsthand the importance of dignity around accessing food.
Opening the Gathering Markit has been the fulfillment of a dream to bridge the gap that exists between receiving emergency food relief and being able to afford to shop at a regular retail store.
Jackie Steward
Kitchen Manager
Kristen Tonge
Board Member
Kirsten joined the Gathering Markit board after being inspired by Hieke's dream and Barb's invitation to a fundraising event in November 2022.
As a lawyer, proudly based in Abbotsford for over 15 years, Kirsten offers professional experience and legal insights to the Board.
From a more personal perspective, Kirsten has an artistic background and enjoys creatively contributing to promotional materials for the Gathering Markit.
Barb Angell
Board Chair
For the past 15 years, Barb has worked with and supported women from all around the world and in all walks of life.
When Barb moved back to Abbotsford from Asia in 2022, she was looking for ways to invest in the community. Hieke's vision for the Gathering Markit is compassionate and practical.
She knew she could get behind that! Equipped with a gentle spirit, and a knack for leading, Barb is a notable force in making sure the Gathering Markit's promotional and fundraising efforts stay on track.
Lisa Pike
Board Member
Lisa is the newest member to join the board after completing some marketing and communication project work for Hieke.
She had previously volunteered at the Abbotsford Food Bank, and was instantly moved by the Markit's mission and was eager to jump in.
Lisa contributes her skills in copywriting and communication strategy to propel the Gathering Markit's marketing and fundraising strategies.
Would you like to join the Gathering Markit team?
We're always on the lookout for great talent. If that's you, we'd love to hear from you! Please get in touch.
Everyone Should Have Access To Healthy Food Options Wouldn't You Agree?
To find out more about what we do, come for a tour!
We'd love to show you around.