Food bank to benefit from wildfire funds

The Westside Community Food Bank is about to receive nearly $25,000, thanks to funds raised during the 2009 wildfires.

A cheque for $3,164 will be turned over to the food bank through proceeds of commemorative t-shirts from the 2009 West Kelowna complex fires.

T-shirts have been sold by the West Kelowna Fire Department.

Proceeds to date total $3,164, monies which will be turned over to the food bank.

Fire Chief Wayne Schnitzler, told council 765 t-shirts are left to sell. He says if all of the shirts sell for the $20 price, that would mean another $15,300 for the food bank.

T-shirts are still being sold through the fire hall, municipal hall office and will also be available at various events throughout the community and around the valley.

Meantime, Mayor Doug Findlater told council nearly $22,000 remaining in the Fire Relief Trust Fund will also be turned over to the food bank.

"This is the balance of the Fire Relief Trust Fund of donations that was provided last summer. The Red Cross and community committee that administered those funds made a determination that it should go to the food bank," says Findlater.

"The two largest donors which are the Telus Community Ambassadors and the West Vancouver Police Department, have also indicated they in fact support these funds being given to the food bank."

Mayor Findlater will present a cheque representing the balance of donations to the trust fund to the food bank Thursday afternoon at the food bank office.