No Salvation bins in valley

Photo: The Canadian Press

A man tries to retrieve items from a clothing donation bin in Vancouver.

The Salvation Army is now adding warning labels on its donation bins after people across the country have become trapped and died in similar bins.

Two people have been found dead inside recently, one in Vancouver, another in Toronto.

There are six Salvation Army thrift stores in the Okanagan, two in Kelowna, two in Penticton and two in Vernon.

National director of communications for the Sally Ann John McAlister says there are no donation bins in the Okanagan, however.

“None of these stores utilize donation bins in the community,” he said. “We accept donations directly at these stores during our regular hours of operation.”

Other areas across Canada that do use donation bins are receiving caution labels as an advisory to the public.

McAlister says this is being done in an effort to educate and raise awareness about the improper use of the bins.