Image Credit: CFJC Today / Jill Sperling

By Jill Sperling

Basics for Babies

Donations pour in at 12th Annual Basics for Babies event

Nov 22, 2019 | 3:40 AM

KAMLOOPS — The twelfth annual Basics for Babies event was held at the Delta Hotel on Victoria Street Friday (Nov. 22).

Hundreds of people woke up early for a breakfast and donation drive for the Kamloops Food Bank.

The food bank uses the donations from this event to stock its shelves with formula, diapers and other baby-related items for the entire year.

“The breakfast started at 7:00, but there is such incredible support for this event that people were literally here at 6:00, ready to sit at their tables and join the fun,” said Kamloops Food Bank Executive Director Bernadette Siracky.

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As people walked into the event, many had donations of diapers, baby food, and other items in hand.

“Nobody wants children not to have what they need, I mean this is just a no-brainer to support, and honestly, I think we might have record numbers this year,” Siracky said.

Local dignitaries and politicians were at the event to lend their support and local businesses provided financial donations.

“We don’t have a total yet, but we have a minimum amount of $50,000 at this point pledged from local businesses and individuals,” Siracky said. “So, that goes a long way to buying a lot of diapers and formula for this upcoming year for us.”

The Delta Hotel Kamloops is always eager to host the event and support infants in the community.

“This is the ninth year that we’ve hosted Basics for Babies,” said Bryan Pilbeam, vice president and general manager of the Delta Hotel Kamloops, “and it just really kicks off the holiday season. Our team gets excited for it. Everyone likes to come in early, volunteer their time, and it’s just our absolute pleasure and honor to host this every year.”

With a growing stock of items piling up in the hotel lobby, it seemed many were full of the holiday giving spirit.

“This is really looking after Kamloops’ most vulnerable, so I think it’s really an opportune time, going into the Christmas season to make sure that everyone has what they need,” Pilbeam said. “We’re working really closely with Bernadette and the food bank. So, it’s the right thing to do. It’s a lot of fun, and again, we really enjoy having it.”