Together for Furano: Nourishing Hope in 2026 and Beyond
Building Hope in Furano: Food, Dignity & Opportunities for Youth
Tackling Food Insecurity
* Deliver essential food supplies to over 300 families annually via food pantry program
* Host community meal events that serve over 1000 people each year
* Reduce food waste by processing and distributing surplus produce from local farms
* Ensure that vulnerable residents including single-parent families and isolated elderly never go hungry
Supporting Youth: Bridging the Education and Experience Gap
* Provide volunteer and mentorship opportunities where youth can gain real-world experience and leadership skills
* Create inclusive community spaces where socially withdrawn youth can reconnect, contribute, and find belonging
* Support youth-led projects that channel creativity into social impact from tutoring local children to organising community eventsEvery activity is a step toward helping a young person find direction and meaning transforming isolation into confidence, and uncertainty into purpose.
Furapera 2024-25 Highlights
Since its inception in 2024, Furapera Community Aid Network has been involved in following initiatives/activities:
Business Support
* Miraito Coordination Meeting: Strategic discussions on youth support and food security programs.
* Give.asia Registration and Campaign Launch: Registered NPO Miraito as one of the first Japanese nonprofits on the platform.
* Give.asia Crowdfunding Campaign: Successfully raised ¥660,000 for food aid and youth initiatives.
* New Crowdfunding Campaign: Launched the second phase to expand support for food security, youth empowerment and education access.
* Provided translation and design service to local businesses including some of top restaurants in the city/
Food Aid & Social Impact
* Food Pantry Donations: Supported NPO Miraito’s monthly pantry with funds and food contributions.
* Wakamatsu Volunteer Day: Coordinated volunteer efforts to assist local families and elderly residents.
* Gas Stove Donation: Provided essential kitchen equipment to migrant worker and his family
Youth Support
* Kimono rental business support: Provided support for Kimono Rental business idea by one of the members of the local youth community
* Heso Matsuri (Summer Festival): Enabled children from low-income families to attend Furano’s signature community event. Managed to secure sponsorship for one of the highest ranked accommodation in centre of Furano Town.
* Overnight Trip Sponsorship: Sponsored accommodation, food, travel expenses for 12 children to go on once in a life time trip to Atsuma town. Enjoying the beach, BBQ and fireworks while getting to experience fishing.
* Bonchi Festival Sponsorship: Sponsored festival tickets for all Furano primary school children where over 120 children had taken advantage of the opportunity.
* Aki Matsuri (Autumn Festival): Sponsored Yakitori and Takoyaki for the Autumn festival for over 100 participants.
Communication & Outreach
* Hokkaido Newspaper Coverage: Featured twice in regional media highlighting Furapera’s cross-border community efforts.
* Logo Design for Miraito and Food Bank Furano: Developed unified visual identity and design templates.
* Signage Presentation: Delivered community presentation on improving accessibility through bilingual design.
Intended use of proceeds of crowdfunding
* Purchase staple food items (rice, vegetables, canned goods) for food pantries community
* Support children’s cafeterias offering warm, nutritious meals to students.
* Cover transportation and logistics costs for food collection and delivery.
* Source and process surplus farm produce to reduce food waste.
* Fund kitchen supplies and equipment to increase meal preparation capacity such as new vacuum packing machine which can vacuum pack hot items.
* Provide volunteer, mentorship, and internship opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience.
* Support youth-led community projects, such as tutoring programs, event organization, and creative initiatives.
* Offer counseling and engagement activities for socially isolated youth to help them rediscover purpose and direction.
* Fund community events and festivals (e.g., Heso Matsuri, Bonchi Festival, Aki Matsuri) to ensure inclusive participation for children from low-income families.
* Strengthen collaboration between local groups through joint volunteer activities and outreach programs.
* Maintain transparency by documenting and sharing regular progress and impact reports with all donors.
* Transforms surplus food into nutritious community meals served across the region.
* Empowers socially isolated youth through hands-on roles in cooking, service, and outreach.
* Raises awareness of food banks and food drives at local events and schools.
* Builds community connection across generations through shared meals and gratitude.
* Promotes sustainability by turning mottainai (waste) into arigatou (thanks).
Why It Matters
* 36% elderly – many isolated and in need of support
* Over 2,000 households (22%) below the poverty line
* Over 3,500 residents on public assistance
* Close to 1,000 single-parent households (33%), most are economically vulnerable
* We aim to bridge growing divides caused by tourism
* Youth outmigration and social withdrawal are increasing each yearBy linking food security, education, and youth empowerment, we’re building a compassionate cycle — where kindness feeds both body and soul, and young people discover their role in shaping a better community.
Join Us in Building a Caring Furano
All donations go directly to Tokutei Hieiri Katsudou Houjin Miraito (Corporate No. 94500-05-004447), a registered nonprofit in Furano.
Together, we’re feeding bodies, nurturing minds, and empowering futures — one meal, one child, and one hopeful step at a time.
With your kindness, we can build a future where every child is nourished, every youth finds purpose, and every neighbour feels connected.
Donate now and be part of the change.
See the fundraising page at Give.asia
https://foodbankfurano.give.asia/campaign/support-food-bank-furano-2026-activities