Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

food security

Kamloops Food Bank gearing up for Fall Rotary Food Drive Saturday

Sep 17, 2021 | 4:29 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Food Bank is a beehive of activity this week, preparing to accept thousands of pounds of donations for the bi-annual Rotary Food Drive.

“People have to eat every day. It’s a basic human need. As some other things may ebb and flow over the year in regards to donations to us, the need remains the same.” says Executive Director Bernadette Siracky.

The local non-profit regularly serves 7,000 individuals, nine regional food banks and supports dozens of meal programs in the region. After more than a year of economic ups and downs, Siracky says the pandemic has highlighted the importance of food security and inspired community members to help out.

“It’s certainly expanded some peoples’ ideas of who needs our service. Because some folks have found themselves here during the last year and a half that never thought that they would be here.”

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Kamloops-Thompson School District continues to face huge uphill battle

Nov 07, 2024

The Creative Edge

PEARCE: What is prosperity and how do we truly define it?

Nov 06, 2024

Question of the Week

If the time change was eliminated in B.C., which time would you prefer?

Nov 04, 2024

Siracky notes that, with extra yellow donation bags distributed by rotarians, the food bank is hoping to see one of its largest food drive turn-outs Saturday (Sept. 18).

This year’s fall event comes with construction underway across the street for a new non-perishable storage facility. To keep up with regional needs and expanded food programs, the main building will also soon have a larger walk-in fridge for perishable items.

“We have put the shovels in the ground at the beginning of September for our new warehouse,” says Siracky, “which is going to help us just be more efficient and provide a space where we deal with all of these non-perishable donations.”

With construction underway where donation sea-cans would normally be kept, Operations Manager Wes Graham says staff have put in careful planning to get the space ready for sorting and storing.

“We tend to get around 50,000 to 60,000 pounds of food in the Fall Food Drive,” says Graham. “To kind of give you an idea of what that looks like, it’s about 35 to 40 full pallets of food. We have to be very planned because it’s a quick day. The rotarians are out picking it up, bringing it in, unloading it — so lots of good energy and just everyone feels good because they know that they’re contributing and getting a chance to give back.”

With several pandemic-protocol food drives under their belt, all staff and volunteers double-vaccinated, the food bank feels confident in how safe the collection will be.

“Since COVID this is now our third food drive, we have our systems in place for that,” reiterates Graham. “We know everyone is safe and we’re ensuring everyone is vaccinated, and of course Kamloops always turns out to support.”

If anybody’s yellow donation bag is missed by pick-up crews, the food bank is also accepting donation drop-offs at 171 Wilson Street, or at any grocery store in the city.

Come 9:00 a.m. Saturday, the food bank will be awaiting hundreds of carloads of yellow bags to be sorted and eventually distributed to those who need it most.