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By Sydney Chisholm

kamloops immigrant services

Monthly Kamloops Immigrant Services potlucks feed diversity, inclusion

Jan 25, 2024 | 7:00 PM

KAMLOOPS – On the last Thursday of every month, Kamloops Immigrant Services (KIS) hosts a multicultural potluck.

“Every month is different and most people bring different cultures of food. But I would say, for the countries at least, you can see over 20 countries,” said KIS Community Connections Coordinator Yenny Yao. “But the food, even in the same country, they have different regions. I always say, you will always see so many — probably more than 30 different dishes.“

But it’s more than just food. Yao says these monthly lunch-ins offer a jumping-off point for new community members.

“I arrived here nine years ago and it was everything for me, a new experience,” said Ofelia Roque, who moved from Mexico to Kamloops. “[The potlucks are] so nice because I had the opportunity to know more people and their cultures, how to make friends.”

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Roque says, when she first moved to Kamloops, these monthly meals gave her something to look forward to.

“I think it’s potluck is more of like a party, you know? It’s very important for us to have a party for something,” she explained, adding the monthly gatherings also provided the perfect learning environment for someone new to Kamloops.

The next potluck will take place Feb. 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome, as long as they bring a dish to share.