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Demand was up, but so was the generosity of local residents.
Vernon Salvation Army Cpt. Jean Curtis Plante said the need for assistance from the food bank and for Christmas hampers rose this year, but so did donations.
“It's been an incredible year. We have had the highest demand ever for food hampers. We had more than 857 hampers this year. We gave out 2,102 gifts to 602 children,” said Plante.
“Every child basically got about three really nice gifts. The support from the community was absolutely stellar this year.”
The North Okanagan community also came through for the kettle campaign, donating $167,000, up $18,000 from last year.
Mail in donations and online contributions were also strong in 2015.
“Our total fundraising drive to date is at $405,812, which is great. Our goal this year was $513,000. We are at 80 per cent for raising funds for our food bank,” said Plante, adding donations to receive a tax receipt for 2015 must be made by midnight Dec. 31.
Plante said another $100,000 must be raised to meet the food bank budget for the year, but he is thrilled with the amount donated this far.
The most the food bank has every received in donations is $409,000 and Plante is excited at the possibility of surpassing that number this year.
“We have seen an awesome community spirit,” said Plante. “As the need has come up, the community has stepped up and responded. We are thankful for that. It takes a community to run a community food bank.”
Tons of food were also donated to the Sally Ann.
The annual North Okanagan realtor food drive collected more than 31,000 pounds of food in a single night.
Other food drives added to the total donated to the food bank.
“We are still sorting through everything. The realtors collected more than they ever have before. The food bank right now has more donations than we have ever had. We are so grateful for the support we have been given. People in the community care and they want to make sure people in need are taken care of.”
