Kelowna
Filling stomachs, raising spirits
by
Contributed - Story:
85105
Dec 27, 2012 / 1:32 pm
Dec 27, 2012 / 1:32 pm
Hungry customers streamed in bearing gifts of canned meats, pasta, soups and cereal as they came to pay a visit to Umé Foods for the Light up the Lot event.
Partnering with Kelowna Community Food bank, the bright-coloured Japanese food shop -- which narrowly escaped the fire that ravaged Burtch Plaza last month -- collected food and cash donations in exchange for store discounts made to help struggling families fill stomachs and raise spirits.
"Growing up in a restaurant as a kid, a lot of my fondest memories involved food," Ume cook and manager Dean Uechi said.
"I wouldn't be where I am today if I had a different experience with food growing up. It would be great if even one kid was able to have a good experience through the food that our generous customers brought for Light up the Lot."
Working with Kelowna Community food bank development officer David Purdon, Uechi and staff spread the word through social media. The event not only brought in donations for the food bank, but also much-needed foot traffic to Burtch Plaza, which had been ghostly quiet for weeks after the big fire.
"Since we lost our neighbours, it was just so dark and lonely in the parking lot," he recalled, noting that he missed the faces who used to come by the store to chat and eat.
Fears that no one would show up were quickly dispelled as he saw customers new and old arriving with bags of food in hand, ready to help fellow Kelownians.
"My worries disappeared after I heard all the talking and laughing while I was cooking in the kitchen," he said.
"[It was] super fun and [I'm] glad I did it."
Read more Kelowna News
Related Links
City of Kelowna
Kelowna Discussion Forum
Airport Arrivals
Airport Departures
Kelowna's Cultural District
Tourism Kelowna
Kelowna Transit
Kelowna Road Closures
William R. Bennett Bridge
Central Okanagan Regional District
District of Peachland
District of Lake Country
Interior Health
UBC Okanagan
Okanagan College
School District 23
City of Kelowna
Kelowna Discussion Forum
Airport Arrivals
Airport Departures
Kelowna's Cultural District
Tourism Kelowna
Kelowna Transit
Kelowna Road Closures
William R. Bennett Bridge
Central Okanagan Regional District
District of Peachland
District of Lake Country
Interior Health
UBC Okanagan
Okanagan College
School District 23
Kelowna Council Archive
Visit our Kelowna Council audio page for live broadcasts and schedules.
Castanet pays for news tips. Email us a news tip, photo, or video and your name will be in a draw for our weekly news tip prize $25. Email us news@castanet.net
FEATURED Property
Click here to feature your property
Please wait... 
Kelowna SPCA Featured Pet
- Body recovered from Ok Lake May 17
- City Hall to ask elected MLAs for cash May 17
- Cyclist hit on Baron Rd. May 16
- Collision causes gas spill May 16
- Cross-dressing groper on the loose May 16
- Kelowna crime down in first quarter May 15
- Liberal triumph good for business May 15
- Mission Creek flood watch lifted May 14
- Paving coming to a road near you May 14
- Two-wheel transportation turns the tide May 14
