10th Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive goes online

Sep 21, 2020 | 9:38 AM Pete McIntyre

The 10th Annual B.C. Thanksgiving Food Drive begins today (Sept. 21) in Kelowna and West Kelowna.

In honour of the 10th anniversary of the event, and while keeping the current state of COVID social distancing in mind, organizers have created a virtual Food Drive to last 10 days. This also coincides with the end of Hunger Awareness Action Month, and community members are asked to give $10 to help feed 10,000 people during a time when many have officially lost work, or the ability to work at all.

“With our 3 to I buying power, we can stretch a $10 donation so much farther than the average person, and in doing so, are able to provide so many more households facing facing food insecurity with a Thanksgiving dinner,” said Trevor Moss, CEO for the Central Okanagan Food Bank.

In previous years, the B.C. Thanksgiving Food Drive would have netted anywhere from 40,000 to 60,000 pounds of donated food in one day, which would have helped the food bank provide it’s services well into the fall months. Having had to cancel the food drive, and modify it to an online donation system due to COVID-19, makes the food bank a little nervous for those who may come to rely on a Thanksgiving hamper during one of the most celebrated family holidays.

“Ensuring everyone has the nutritional food required to sustain a healthy life is paramount within our community,” said Tammie Watson, Chief Development Officer for the Central Okanagan Food Bank. “We are living in a time and place right now where we’ve seen that anything can happen, and you never know if you or someone you love may need this support one day. We’ve had generous support over the years with the B.C. Thanksgiving Food Drive, and hope the community can come together once again during these very unique circumstances, to give generously in support of those in need of a family meal.”

How To Donate:

For health and safety reasons, doorstep collection of donations will not be taking place this year. Instead, community members are encouraged to donate online through the BC Thanksgiving Food Drive GoFundMe page via www.cofoodbank.com/thanksgiving.

Non-perishable food items will be accepted at all Kelowna and West Kelowna Save on Foods locations, on Saturday, September 26 from 10 a.m. – 2.p.m.