Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Anthony Corea

FOOD IMPACT

Kamloops Food Bank sees increased numbers but still delivers despite tough times

Aug 23, 2024 | 5:30 PM

KAMLOOPS – The cost of living is rising every day, making affordable lifestyles tougher and tougher. One of those factors is food, with food banks across the province seeing a rise in demand, including locally where the Kamloops Food Bank is working hard to provide for thousands of individuals in need.

“Last year, we experienced an 85 per cent increase — which was unheard of. We are seeing that here in a very big way and yes, our inventory definitely reflects that, so we are using food and giving it out at a much increased rate. Kamloops supports us and we are really delighted to have a food drive right around the corner because honestly, we need it,” said the food bank’s Bernadette Siracky.

Although there is an increased need for donations, the operation is running smoothly with plenty of help offered up, including from local businesses like RBC, which is doing its best to lend a hand.

“We come out to the food bank probably three-to-four times a year and get a group of RBC volunteers,” said RBC Community Manager Timothy Webber. “We took the first half-hour to do a tour and get a sense of what the food bank is all about for those of us who haven’t been here before. Today, we’re filling up hampers. We’re doing an assembly line here. We’ve got food items that we’re filling up, and you can see we’re filling some bins for individuals.”

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Another program the Kamloops Food Bank will be putting in motion is Starfish Backpacks. The backpacks are a way to ensure school-aged children have enough to eat for the weekend. It’s another initiative that wouldn’t be possible without help from the community.

“It costs about $750 per backpack, for the year to get that food out every Friday. The businesses have come on board with dollars, but they also bring their staff here. Every Friday morning, we have a different business group packing the backpacks and delivering them to the schools,” said Siracky.

The Kamloops Food Bank serves 7,000 individuals, 52 community agencies and exports to nine other regional food banks.

“We thank Kamloops for helping us, but it is a struggle,” added Siracky. “However, if you can support our efforts, please do. Put a bag out (for the Rotary Food Drive) on September 21. Buy a ticket for our 50/50. Bring your work group here. Put a couple of cans of food in the donation bin at the stores. All of those things really do make a big difference.”