File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Jill Sperling

Basics for Babies

Basics for Babies returns with drive-thru donation drop-off zones

Nov 19, 2020 | 4:42 PM

KAMLOOPS — Every year, the Basics for Babies event brings in much-needed donations of baby products. It’s a major community event in support of the Kamloops Food Bank.

“We typically have around 500 people come through at the Delta,” said Bernadette Siracky, executive director of the Kamloops Food Bank. “They have a buffet breakfast, they bring donations of diapers and formula and baby products and really support our efforts to feed and to clothe our community’s most vulnerable.”

The 2020 version of this event will be much different due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“What we’ve done is we’ve created a whole different event,” Siracky said. “There is no breakfast, but we do have drop zones.”

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From 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. Friday (Nov. 20), people can drop off products or financial donations at the Delta Hotel, Broadcast Centre or the Food Bank.

“We really tried to make it as COVID safe as possible for people,” said B-100 morning host Cheryl Blackwell. “It’s totally a drive-thru drop off at all three locations. There is a coffee available to you if you would like as well and of course we’ll wave and say thank-you from a nice six-foot distance as well. But yes, it will be very COVID-safe.”

People can also donate by texting BASICS to 45678. As always, the event will be aired on B-100 and CFJC TV.

“It’s a fun day because we actually get to see all of that product come in and then we know that we’re going to be able to provide this for the next three-to-four months as people come in. So, it is exciting,” said Wes Graham, operations manager for the Kamloops Food Bank.

While it will be a much different Basics for Babies, the cause remains important to the Food Bank and Kamloops community.

“This year in particular, COVID is colouring everybody’s experience,” Siracky said. “So, for us to be able to take a little bit of weight off families, a bit of stress off of the families that access us and have the products available that they need for their children, we are honoured to be able to do that. So we have the space, we have the support by our community and this event this year is really exciting for us because it’s taking off in a whole new direction and is just as well supported.”