A group of 20 generous kids from the Claro Learning Centre are working hard this month collecting bottles for the Kelowna Food Bank.

The kids were tasked with getting local businesses on board to donate their empties for the good cause.

“Initially the kids had to learn a little about it...about what the Kelowna Food Bank is about and who they support, and about what a bottle drive really means,” explains Mentor Sherri-Ann Rast with Claro, a centre for children with learning disabilities. 

“Then they all made posters and sent them out to businesses themselves, talked to them, explained the idea and we’ve just been going weekly to pick up the bottles from all the businesses.”

Nearly a dozen locations around town signed on and a group of the volunteers visit the multiple locations almost daily.

“It was interesting because everybody was willing to give us bottles and it was pretty cool actually,” says 15-year-old Madison St. Pierre. “It is Christmas and everybody need something to be happy about at Christmas.”

“It is really fun,” adds 9-year-old Ella Rolston.

Rast says the centre works on teaching kids about giving back and the impact they can have.

“It is really important for us to teach the kids how to give back to their community and to be involved in their community and know what that means,” says Rast. “Sometimes we get isolated and don’t look outside, so it is important to teach them when they are young.”

The numbers for this year haven’t been tallied yet but last year the group was able to raise about $500 for the Kelowna Food Bank.

“We’re so proud of them, they’ve done an awesome job,” adds Rast. “Everything from learning how to speak in public to sorting things and being in uncomfortable and loud environments. They’ve done fantastic.”