Cast-A-Light

The Food Bank: Spirit of Christmas

by Contributed - Story: 83943
Dec 3, 2012 / 5:00 am

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 3, 2012 - Kelowna BC, today marks the launch of the Food Bank’s annual Christmas Campaign: The Spirit of Giving. It looks to be another busy year.

“We serve thousands every month, but the need is always greater at Christmas, says Vonnie Lavers, Executive Director for the Kelowna Food Bank. “Christmas is a difficult time for many Okanagan households. The reasons vary: the results are the same –vulnerable individuals and families face a bleak Christmas. Many must choose food and shelter before the joy of the season. Imagine such a Christmas through the eyes of a child. The effects are truly devastating; these memories last a life time.”

Last Christmas set a record at the Food Bank. Over 1,200 individuals, couples and families registered to receive a Christmas hamper, up from 839 in 2010. In addition to staple items Christmas hampers are stuffed with turkey, fresh produce, canned goods and treats, plus toys and gifts for the entire family. Families with children can pay a special visit to our Christmas Store. In addition to a new unwrapped toy, families receive one stuffed animal, one book, stocking stuffers, new mittens, and a new toque per child.

This year, Christmas hamper registration is up. The Food Bank is facing a difficult few months. “These are tough economic times; overall donations are down in light of a diminished capacity for individuals and corporate donors to give.”

Lavers says Christmas puts a huge dent in their winter inventory. “Donations drop off completely in January. We have set a goal to raise $500,000 this December.  It is critical that we reach our campaign target.”

Please help the Food Bank reach their campaign goal. Lavers says there are many ways for individuals and businesses to give this December:

  • Look for your Spirit of Giving donation envelope in the mail, newspapers and community events.
  • Donate non-perishable food items at various community food drives through December.
  • Make an online donation to the Castanet.net Cast-A-Light campaign.
  • Sign up for No Hungry Children and support children’s nutrition programming.
  • Buy BC Coupons – purchase Buy BC Coupons from the checkout at your local grocery store - every $2 buys $6 worth of food.
  • Join the Vital Waters All You Can Drink donor program - 10% of every dollar supports Food Bank programs.
  • Feed the Valley, donate non-perishable food items or make cash donations at any Valley First branch.
  • Hold a festive food drive in your neighbourhood or at your workplace.
  • Send a donation directly to the Kelowna Community Food Bank’s Spirit of Giving Campaign at 1265 Ellis Street, Kelowna, BC V1Y 1Z7 or donate online at www.kelownafoodbank.com

The Kelowna Food Bank, located at 1265 Ellis Street, has extended their Christmas hours – they will be open for donations Monday to Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. until December 22nd. Donations can also be made online at www.kelownafoodbank.com or at Castanet.net.

Your donations will bring holiday blessings to everyone!



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Donate online:

Questions call: 250-763-7161

Donations will automatically be recognized online. If you wish your contribution to be anonymous please email info@kelownafoodbank.com

Every amount counts!

Castalight Donations
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Top Cast-a-light Donors

Personal

  1. Kelowna Minor Hockey Association $11,305.00
  2. Barry Chase $4,000.00
  3. Gerald Goertsen $1,200.00

1-25 Employees

  1. Voyager RV $500.00

26-50 Employees

  1. Employees of Canadian Commercial Vehicles $3,815.00
  2. Rutland Glass $3,700.00
  3. Re Max Foundation $1,365.00

Recent Challenges

  • Jesse East of the Re Max Kelowna Foundation challenges all Real Estate agents to support the Food Bank.
  • Gerald Goertsen would like to challenge all other financial advisors in Kelowna to match his $1200.00 donation.
  • The staff at Canadian Comercial Vehicles raised 763 pounds of food and toys for the Food Bank, they challenge all commercial and industrial manufacturers to do the same this Christmas!
  • Rutland Glass challenges all commercial contractors to support the Cast-A-Light campaign today with a minimum $500 donation!
  • All Security Companies to donate $500

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Cast-a-light Donors

  • Kelowna Minor Hockey Association $11305.00
  • Barry Chase $4000.00
  • Employees of Canadian Commercial Vehicles $3815.00
  • Rutland Glass $3700.00
  • Re Max Foundation $1365.00
  • Gerald Goertsen $1200.00
  • Shaundra Ihas $1000.00
  • Lee Claremont in memory of Christina Judith Claremont $650.00
  • Janet Kirby $600.00
  • William Farley $600.00
  • Heather McInnes $500.00
  • Brenda Nestibo $500.00
  • Voyager RV $500.00
  • Michael Sidoni $500.00
  • Bobbi Brooke $300.00
  • Brian Milligen $300.00
  • Tara Treadgold $300.00
  • Keith Wemp $250.00
  • Denise deHass $250.00
  • Fran Hansum $250.00
  • James Berwick $250.00
  • Harold B Henderson $250.00
  • Maria N Turner $200.00
  • Jim H Hayashi $200.00
  • Alan Bruce $200.00
  • Carolyn Walsh $200.00
  • Nancy Cameron $200.00
  • Ria H Hayden $200.00
  • Tammy Rittich $200.00
  • Judith A Stringer $200.00
  • Bruce Miller $200.00
  • Norma Malanowich $200.00
  • Anne Pistawka $200.00
  • Carman Jones $150.00
  • Lesley Eames $120.00
  • Meinis Schmidt $110.00
  • Oliver Balske $100.00
  • Denise Sullivan $100.00
  • William Canning $100.00
  • Adrian Rizzo $100.00
  • George McFeeters $100.00
  • James D Dickie $100.00
  • Ed Culos $100.00
  • Marlise Leibel $100.00
  • Randy Simpson $100.00
  • Norm Tearoe $100.00
  • Martha Janz $100.00
  • Yuliya Melnichuk $100.00
  • Gladys Leach $100.00
  • Bonny Kilgour $100.00
  • Terry Hogan $100.00
  • Peter Gregg $100.00
  • James Gordon $100.00
  • Huw Evans $100.00
  • Denis Beaudry $100.00
  • Pat Alaric $100.00
  • Kelley Waterhouse $100.00
  • Ena Galloway $100.00
  • Graham Bruce $100.00
  • Sharon Lezica $100.00
  • Virginia de Jong $80.00
  • Mihn Le $50.00
  • Tracey Harrison $50.00
  • Gail Prichard $50.00
  • Claire J Larose $50.00
  • Dustin Gumpinger $50.00
  • Barb Ellis $50.00
  • Stacie Mosicki $50.00
  • Jan Enns $50.00
  • Carol Butcher $50.00
  • Denise Campbell $50.00
  • Tanis Read $50.00
  • Lynsay Pickard $50.00
  • Dana Kruiper $50.00
  • Corrine Pearson $50.00
  • Barbara Bailey $50.00
  • Else Kristensen $50.00
  • Lauren Fleming $50.00
  • Chase Vigar $50.00
  • Brian Miller $50.00
  • Gwynne Harries $50.00
  • Price Kenney $50.00
  • Joel Yanow $50.00
  • Tamera Sinclair $50.00
  • Merrie-Jean Mulhern $50.00
  • Paul and Carole Snider $50.00
  • George Grinnell $40.00
  • Michelle Pidduck $40.00
  • Mary C Smith $40.00
  • Aldyn Overend $30.00
  • Sharon Hyatt $25.00
  • Shannon Smith $25.00
  • Stormee Riggs $25.00
  • Jeannie Hyatt $25.00
  • Kelvin Giesbrecht $25.00
  • Jeremy Zinger $25.00
  • N Battaglio $20.00
  • Drikus Verwey $20.00
  • Nicole Peach $20.00
  • Steve Holmes $20.00
  • Paul Bohn $10.00
  • Kathleen Boloten $8.00

_



About Cast-A-Light

Castanet.net has partnered with the Kelowna Community Food Bank to raise much needed funds, food, and toys for children and families in our community.

Our goal this year is to raise $50,000 with all funds going to programs at the Kelowna Community Food Bank.

Your donation to the sixth annual Cast-A-Light Campaign will provide a brighter future for those less fortunate in our community.
The Kelowna Community Food Bank will acknowledge all gifts to the Cast-A-Light Campaign. Tax receipts are mailed for donations in the amount of $10 or more with addresses provided.

View a Shaw TV segment from our 2007 campaign:




About the Food Bank

The Kelowna Community Food Bank is a self-supporting non-profit organization, raising food and funds through donations, special events, community food drives and local and national sponsors. The Food Bank is operated by a volunteer board of directors, 8 staff members and more than 100 volunteers who contribute over 20,000 hours annually, providing essential services including food collection, distribution and sorting, hamper preparation, client assistance and referrals, and special event planning and fundraising.

The Kelowna Community Food Bank was established in 1983 to provide short-term support to Kelowna families and individuals in need of temporary assistance. Since then the mission has grown to help alleviate chronic hunger and poverty in the Central Okanagan by providing our clients with a 5 to 7 day supply of healthy food on a monthly basis. Annually, we serve more than 30,000 persons including nearly 10,000 children, distributing over $2 million in food.

The Kelowna Food Bank is a member of The BC Association of Food Banks and the Canadian Association of Food Banks (CAFB).

1265 Ellis Street
Kelowna, BC V1Y 1Z7

Phone: 250-763-7161
Fax: 250-763-9116
Email: info@kcfb.ca
http://www.kelownafoodbank.com/



Family profiles on this page have been provided by the Kelowna Community Food Bank.



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