United Way distributes PPE to Okanagan charities

The United Way Southern Interior B.C. team will provide personal protective equipment to local charities today.

Packages of PPE will be provided to charities in Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon that include protective masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and, in some cases, feminine hygiene products.

“We would like to thank various donors who have contributed to this campaign including the North Okanagan Labour Council who donated the feminine hygiene products as part of United Way’s Period Promise campaign. The charities will pick up the items at local hotels who’ve partnered with the United Way to store the products and host the event,” Marianne Dahl, marketing and communications Manager with the United Way, said.

Here’s where the items will be handed out:

9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Penticton Lakeside Resort, Zinfandel Conference Room

12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Kelowna Ramada Hotel and Conference Centre, Oak Ballroom

1 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Vernon Prestige Hotel – Aberdeen Room

“Since the COVID-19 crisis hit, United Way connected with local charities to assess emerging needs. Many program directors and charity leaders indicated a need for these scarce items and we know the need will continue beyond the crisis as we move into recovery and rebuilding mode,” Dahl added.

In the last few weeks, United Way has announced over $300,000 in relief funding to 35 local charities. In addition, the United Way launched the Emergency Community Support Fund applications that will see another round of funding from the federal government that will be allocated by the end of July.