United Way gifts charities masks, sanitizer and feminine products

Local charities visited Kelowna's Ramada Hotel on Wednesday to receive packages of personal protective equipment from United Way.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, United Way created a response-relief program aimed to help the social services sector as they continue to serve community members.

The packages included various types of medical masks, hand sanitizers and if needed, feminine hygiene products.

"We're all operating in unprecedented times and it's been really tricky for all frontline service providers," says United Way Southern Interior BC executive director Kahir Lalji.

"Thanks to our donors and our partners at the Ramada we've been able to host this PPE distribution centre."

One of the charities to receive a care package is H.O.P.E Outreach, an organization focused on helping vulnerable woman in Kelowna and Vernon.

"United Way has supported us for the last three years and we're so grateful, I don't know that we would've carried on with our operating without their support," says H.O.P.E Outreach executive director Angie Lohr. 

Due to COVID-19, H.O.P.E was forced to discontinue their outreach services for a three week period but they have now started up again with the help of frontline volunteers and the products gifted from the United Way.

"We are fully out on the street again with the ladies that we work with in Vernon and Kelowna."

To learn more about how you can support the United Way Southern Interior BC click here.