Rotary donates more than $100,000 to Central Okanagan food banks experiencing unprecedented need
Rotary Clubs across the Central Okanagan are providing some financial relief to local Food Banks that are experiencing unprecedented need.
Trevor Moss, CEO of the Central Okanagan Food Bank said they've seen a significant and growing demand for food as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, while conditions at the Salvation Army have also been difficult.
Captain Darryl Burry, lead pastor of the Kelowna Salvation Army said 30 per cent of clients moving through their doors are people who have never accessed the Salvation Army before.
"Sales from our Thrift Stores, which are currently closed, account for 75 per cent of our monthly revenues and our existing food inventory is quickly disappearing," Burry said.
To address that need Rotary clubs rallied, Rotary district governor Peter Schultz said, in a press release.
A senior group of Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Kelowna suggested the project. The Rotary Club of Kelowna approved donations of $25,000 to the Central Okanagan Food Bank and $25,000 to the Kelowna Salvation Army, using funds made possible from the success of their annual FortisBC Rotary Pro-Am Golf Tournament.
An additional $25,000 donation to the Central Okanagan Food Bank was made possible by a private matching donation.
“With that in hand, a call went out to all Rotary Clubs in the area, who were quick to join in including a $24,600 donation from the Rotary Club of Lake Country to its local Food Bank, as reported earlier," Shultz said.
In total nine Rotary Clubs and one Rotaract Club are donating $116,300 to five local Food Banks. Funds will be directed to the Central Okanagan Food Bank, the Kelowna Salvation Army, the Peachland Food Bank, the West Kelowna Salvation Army and Lake Country Food Bank.
The donation is expected to offset some of the growing need.
This was a collaborative undertaking of all Rotary Clubs in the Central Okanagan. Being a proud Rotarian means “Service Above Self” and members have good reason to be proud of helping our communities during this challenging time.
If you are interested in learning more about Rotary in your community, go here.
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