Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds

By Dylana Milobar

FOOD FOR KIDS DRIVE THRU

Kamloops organizations putting the ‘fun’ in fundraising

Jun 14, 2019 | 1:51 PM

KAMLOOPS — The United Way and Kamloops Food Bank teamed up to host their annual Drive Thru Breakfast and Jail and Bail event this morning.

Food bank donors making their way into the drive thru at Cascades Casino got a close up view of ‘unlucky’ community members raising money behind bars.

Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds

Superintendent Syd Lecky says he and many officers from the Kamloops detachment were glad to come support the Jail and Bail fundraising efforts.

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“That’s a long held tradition for us, supporting the United Way. It goes right back to helping people in the community, certainly kids, and schools,” he explains. “We’re really proud to be here, and you can look forward to seeing us here in the future as well.”

Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds

According to Kamloops Food Bank Executive Director Bernadette Siracky, proceeds are used by the local chapter of the United Way and the Food Bank to provide meals for kids who would otherwise go hungry.

“We have a collaborative effort with the United Way called Feeding the Future. So we’re working on feeding children year round, day and night,” she says. “And this event in particular supports the Starfish Backpack Program.”

The Starfish Backpack Program works with School District 73 to identify kids who need something to eat during weekends.

“We’re meeting with SD 73 next week about the number of requests that are coming from schools,” explains Siracky. “As people have learned about this program, families are actually approaching the schools asking to be on the wait list.”

United Way Thompson Nicola Cariboo Spokesperson Geralyn Alain says 4 years ago, the Starfish program started out with just 10 students provided with backpacks year round, and has since grown to 122.

“We sort of find out how much money we raised and work back a little bit, because we don’t want to over promise and under deliver,” she explains, when asked how many backpacks the money will fund. “But our goal is to take it to about 145 backpacks for the 2019/2020 school year.”

Today’s fundraising goal is $60,000, boosted by a $5,000 cheque dropped off by Tolko Industries.

Alain says she was surprised to find out how many kids wind up leaving school hungry Friday afternoons.

“One in six kids in our community go to school hungry, and that is why we’re really rallying the troops today, to make a difference in those kids lives.”

Anyone who missed the drive thru, and Jail & Bail event can still donate online at www.feedingthefuture.ca.