Hundreds of pounds of food was donated to the local food bank Sunday at the first annual ‘Penticton Cares’ event.

The food drive took place at Penticton IGA and featured a by-donation barbeque, live music and food bags for purchase, which were donated to the Penticton Salvation Army.

“It’s our first annual Penticton Cares food drive, partnering up with ABK Restoration, Castanet and our Penticton Vees,” said Colin Powell, Penticton IGA store owner and general manager.  “We are selling and encouraging people to donate non-perishable food items here at the store, all proceeds go to the Salvation Army.”

Throughout the year, IGA locations in Summerland, Penticton, Okanagan Falls and Kelowna offer $10 or $20 food bags, which customers can purchase for their local food bank.

“We are doing about 750 hampers this Christmas in Penticton and we also run the Cawston food bank, we do about 150 over there,” said John Rankin, Salvation Army. “This is fantastic, people coming through and being generous donating their time and efforts.”

“We appreciate that so much.”  

The total amount of food received from the food drive was more than 1,500 pounds.

If you couldn’t make it to the fundraiser Sunday, you can drop off your donation this week or call Jeff at 250-490-6447 to pre-arrange a donation.