Kamloops United Church (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

PIT STOP WON'T STOP

PIT Stop feeds 200 people despite fire at Kamloops United Church, will set up in parking lot moving forward

Aug 20, 2024 | 5:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — A week after a fire ripped through the Kamloops United Church, the congregation’s PIT Stop meal program is back on their feet with plans of how they will continue to feed those in need.

Despite losing its kitchen and dining room area to fire, water and smoke damage, PIT Stop was able to serve 200 meals last Sunday, thanks to support from the community — including a food truck. It’s that community effort that will allow pit stop to not miss a Sunday dinner service.

“We had United Steelworkers show up with their food truck which helped a lot and we will continue like that,” said PIT Stop Coordinator Valentine Uwakwe. “Come next Sunday, we will be behind the Kamloops United Church building at the Kamloops YMCA parking lot at 3:30 p.m., so whenever you come, you will see us. That continues every Sunday until we figure out a more permanent or temporary base for now.”

While PIT Stop is functioning, the latest hurdle has pushed the program over budget, leading organizers to ask the public for help to ensure the weekly meal can continue. Due to a lack of storage space after the fire, monetary donations are preferred but anything will help.

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“For so many people who want to give some items, yes, we would appreciate and prefer cash donations. But if you want to give items, because we have limited space to keep some things at the moment, we can only take things like juice boxes, water, peanut butter and jam, soft granola bars or canned proteins like salmon, just something we can easily contain and manage at the moment,” added Uwakwe.

For more information about PIT Stop and how to donate visit https://kamloopsunited.ca/pit-stop/