KAMLOOPS — Art, with a purpose. The latest fundraising campaign for the Kamloops Food Bank has been unveiled at Riverside Park.
A permanent community art piece is now in place beside the South Thompson River, as part of the food bank’s Locking in Hope campaign.
With a $20 donation to the food bank, Executive Director Bernadette Siracky says participants can attach a lock to the city’s latest piece of public art.
“Every person that has played a role in this installation so far, and also putting a lock on it is going to be part of a bigger effort. And that’s creating hope for a poverty free future,” Siracky explains, “because that’s really why everybody who is at the Food Bank is there- they’re living at or below the poverty line.”
Siracky says about 200 people came to see the structure and purchase a lock to add.
“I think what this is going to be is the next landmark in Kamloops. People are going to talk about it. They’re going to become part of it,” she says. “It really shows and highlights the connection we have as a community. Because whether you’re a client, a donor, or a supporter, a volunteer, or somebody who purchased a lock. Every person here yesterday (at the unveiling) had something to do with that structure.”
The new art piece is owned by the city, but the Food Bank will be getting proceeds from the locks sold.
Similar to the love lock bridge in France, or the Pike Place gum wall in Seattle, Siracky says they expect the visual and engaging aspect of the structure will draw attention in the online world as well.
“Fundraising efforts like this really engage the community in a meaningful way,” Siracky says. “We are going to be showcasing this city to the world. There is going to be pictures of Kamloops honestly, on every social media platform and travelling the world.”
The food bank will sell locks at Riverside Park throughout the summer, with money going towards their $200,000 fundraising goal.
