Kelowna

Photo: Contributed - Kelowna Food Bank

Auction winner Jeremy Byl presents a $3799 cheque to the Food Bank’s Linda Knol.

The campaign raised nearly $50,000 for the Kelowna Food Bank this December. 

Part of the funds came from an online auto auction on Castanet. The great folks at Mario's Towing donated the vehicle.

The winning bid in the auto auction came in at $3799 and gave the campaign a boost at the finish line.

“We can’t thank our donors enough,” says Chris Kearney, Castanet.net General Manager.

“The auction was a fun way to raise awareness about hunger.  Unfortunately, it is a problem for many families in Kelowna, especially at Christmas. Every December, we post personal stories from food bank clients and donors to inspire people to give.”

Kearney says that Cast-A-Light took a new direction this season with the addition of video. “It’s a powerful medium that draws people into the story,” he says. “Food bank staff shot the raw footage and we edited the material.”

Food Bank communications officer Dave Purdon was amazed by this year's numbers.

“Christmas is an expensive time, and there are many needy causes,” he says.“Yet, hundreds of individuals and businesses gave to the food bank – we are grateful to each and every one of them.”

Purdon would also like to acknowledge the clients who appeared in front of the camera.

“There is a stigma associated with hunger; it takes real courage for people to share their stories with the public. They did because they knew they were helping others.”

Congratulations to this year’s auction winner, Jeremy Byl, the proud new owner of a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GT.