As this crazy year comes to an end and the holidays fast approach, we are all faced with a multitude of different challenges. While the studio may not be allowed to run classes at this time, that doesn’t mean our B Family can’t rally together to continue to inspire and light up our community.
On Friday, December 11th, B Indoor Cycle & Strength Studio is lending a hand to the Central Okanagan Food Bank to help them prepare food hampers for over 3000 local households that will need one this month. There has been a 27% increase in households that are facing food insecurities since March of this year. While we may not be able to turn this year around, we can at least help turn someone’s day around.
If you’d like to join us please email us with the time slot that you’re able to help out:
Friday, December 11th 11:00AM – 1:30PM
or
Friday, December 11th, 1:00PM – 3:30PM
If you’re unable to make it to either of these times but still want to help, you can bring some food items into the studio or you can take a below at some other ways you can help out the community through the Central Okanagan Food Bank (COFB) this holiday season.
Words from the COFB:
This year with the holiday season fast approaching, we are all faced with different challenges. For some, it may be wondering where a healthy, warm Christmas meal may come from. For others, feeling helpless in being able to support our community. The Central Okanagan Food Bank is – as always – focused on creating a healthy, hunger free community, yet at this time we are also focused on bridging connections. Connections between those that require food assistance in our community, and those that can be of great help.
At the Central Okanagan Food Bank (COFB), a growing average of 3,195 households are served each month. Our service area spans Kelowna and West Kelowna, and due to the current economic climate, the number of households facing food insecurity continues to swell, rising over 27% since March of this year. The recent influx of client registrations reminds us that food insecurity can affect every type of household: people living with disabilities, low-income young adults, single parent-households, working families, and senior citizens.
The Central Okanagan Food Bank also assists many partner agencies in the community to provide food alongside their core social service delivery. Current partner agencies include the Canadian Mental Health Association, John Howard Society, Kelowna Gospel Mission, Kelowna Women’s Shelter, Salvation Army, Senior’s Outreach Society, Freedom’s Door, Boys & Girls Clubs, Metis Community Services, and Seniors Outreach Society, and 32 other local food banks.
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To Receive Food Support
Christmas Hamper Program
- distributed by appointment only, December 7-23
- call to book before November 27th (250-763-7161)
Regular Hamper Program
- can be accessed every 28 days by appointment, throughout the entire year
- call to register in Kelowna (250-763-7161) or West Kelowna (250-768-1559)
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To Provide Support to Others
Monetary Donations
- Online @ cofoodbank.com/donate
- At the till @ Loblaw’s Food Stores (Nov 26-Dec 24)
Food Donations
- Community Food Drive – Rotary Centre for the Arts (Nov 16-Dec 13)
- Stuff-a-Bus Food Drive – see details on our social media (Dec 4-6)
- Neighbourhood Collections – see details on Castanet (Dec 8-20)
Other Ways to Help
- Volunteer – sign up at cofoodbank.com/volunteer
- Wash your Car – Skogie’s Auto Spa donating .50 per wash (Nov 1-Dec 31)
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Finally, in place of our annual Fork & Spoon Gala, we present a new fundraiser “Bake the World a Better Place.”
This is a pie sale and auction to support the Central Okanagan Food Bank. Purchase a holiday pie to enjoy with family or as a gift for others this Christmas, made by one of Kelowna’s top 25 chefs and bakers, and a few celebrity pie makers from the Central Okanagan! More details to be announced in early November by KelownaNOW and the Central Okanagan Food Bank.