The food bank in West Kelowna, B.C., has expanded significantly to cater to the increasing needs of the community.
“This is a monumental day for us,” stated Trevor Moss, the CEO of the Central Okanagan Food Bank.
Situated at 3710 Hoskins Rd, the newly opened 3,700-square-foot facility was inaugurated on Tuesday.
This expansion allows for greater food storage as more individuals seek assistance.
“We’ve seen a 31 percent increase in clients in West Kelowna accessing the food bank year over year,” Moss noted. “This unfortunate growth is quite significant,” he remarked.
The West Kelowna site is welcoming nearly 70 new households every month for support.
“There used to be a safety net available. I believe that safety net is now gone, and individuals are just managing to stay afloat,” stated Moss. “That encapsulates the current state of our society and economy.”
Lee Taylor, a senior on a fixed income, relies on the food bank to help cover expenses.
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“What are your options? You need to eat,” Taylor remarked.
Nancy Nickel, who has volunteered for 36 years, has witnessed the rising demand firsthand.
“It makes me sad, but I want to be present to assist them. If they need comfort, I’m here to provide it because there’s much sorrow out there,” Nickel shared with Global News.
The West Kelowna food bank was one of the first in Canada when it opened in 1982.
Initially called Robes, Loaves, and Fishes, the food bank started at the Emmanuel Church on Hebert Road.
“It was a beginning where we could assist those in need, and it grew from there,” Nickel recalled, describing the early days of operating from a small closet-sized room.
The country’s first food bank opened in Edmonton in 1981.
“One of the primary reasons food banks were established was to satisfy immediate needs,” Moss explained.
“I don’t believe anyone anticipated that the demand for our services would remain so high even today.”
The Central Okanagan Food Bank has leased the new West Kelowna location and aims to construct its own permanent facility in the future.
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