Kelowna realtor Paul Cluff stopped by the Central Okanagan Food Bank and decided to help by donating $10,000 to this season’s food hampers.
“Learning that an estimated 2,200 households are expected to receive Christmas hampers this month and that the food bank is still registering flood evacuees seeking help with food, I knew I had to help," said Cluff.
With over 5,300 people registered to receive food this December – a number only expected to increase – demand at the food bank has surged by 19% since this time last year.
For many in the community, the need for food is even greater during the holiday season.
Food Bank Chief Development Officer Tammie Watson said she is incredibly grateful for Cluff’s support.
“Right now, we are feeding more people than when COVID first started and given everything our community has been through over the past year with forest fires and floods, we are concerned for the challenge and struggles people are facing,” said Watson.
Cluff said he feels fortunate to be able to help the Food Bank this season, “knowing that there is a place to rely on and receive what you need, represents a philosophy around service that I value.”
All individual donations raised for the Food Bank this month will be matched by 25 per cent by the Thomas Alan Budd Foundation.
The Central Okanagan Food Bank is a non-profit organization providing food to families and households in need and assists over 54,000 individuals each year.
Financial donations can be made here.
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