The spring and fall Rotary Food Drives continue to take place annually in Kamloops. Rotarians have been canvasing the entire city since 2008 to collect yellow bags of donations. Rotarians gathered 94,000 pounds of non-perishable food in 2022. This is a retail value of almost $300,000.
Basic for Babies returned to an in-person breakfast hosted by B-100 and CFJC-Midday. The donations received at this event ensure the consistent availability of baby food, formula, diapers and hygiene products for children under the age of three.
The community was ready for the CP Holiday Train's first visit in Kamloops since 2019, with the purpose of increasing awareness of Food Bank usage across the Country and encouraging financial and food donations from local individuals and businesses.
The Drive Thru Breakfast took over the Cascades Casino parking lot once again this year. Local businesses and supporters of Starfish Backpacks reunited to serve breakfast wraps and other fun treats. All of the proceeds from this event go towards the Starfish Backpack program which is currently feeding 225 children weekly & ensuring they have enough food to eat over the weekend.
We provide packages of school snacks to families with school age children on a weekly basis. School snacks include healthy lunchbox additions such as granola bars and fruit cups.
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This program began as a project of the Abbotsford Rotary Club. It was brought to Kamloops in 2016 by the Rotary Club of Kamloops.
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Children under three years of age receive a monthly supply of diapers, formula, baby food and hygiene products. The availability of these items removes a large financial stressor for families and ensures that infants in our community have the nutritous food they require for healthy physical development.
Learn MoreWe are proud to offer our clients weekly access to healthy food.
Perishable
Available once per week, these hampers include items such as dairy, meat, produce, bread and premade deli meals.
Single, Couple, Family
Available once per month, these non-perishable hampers are prepared in various sizes to suit different household types and include pantry staples such as rice, noodles, soup, canned meat and canned vegetables.
High Protein, Pre/Post-Natal
Clients requiring a high protein diet as indicated by their physician receive high protein items or an increased opportunity to access perishable food items.
Transient
These hampers contain items that can be opened without a can opener and products which require minimal preparation.
foodSHARE is one of the largest food recovery programs operated by a food bank in Western Canada. We now collect all close dated perishable product including dairy, meat, bread, produce and deli items from all major grocery stores in Kamloops.
Learn MoreAgencies
Schools
Associate Member Food Banks
Recognized as Essential Service
Covid-19 demanded a significant shift in our operations as regional, provincial, and federal governments recognized us as an ‘essential service’ for the most vulnerable in the communities we serve.
We Shifted Fast
Changing health protocols meant we modified our space, retrained staff and clients and reduced our volunteer numbers. Fundraisers went online and most importantly, we were serving individuals who had never before needed the Food Bank.
Unparalleled Need & Support
As weeks turned to months, our challenges evolved. Each met with unparalleled support. The response was like none other.
The Challenge That Remains
Despite this support, we faced a continued challenge - storage! We had been operating with multiple off-site rented storage solutions.
Directing Resources Toward Sustainable Future
Simple economics prohibits long term rental of off-site warehouse space. We must be ready for what the future brings. Solving our storage issue is part of ensuring our sustainability.
It is with respect and gratitude that the Kamloops Food Bank acknowledges our presence on Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc territory situated within the unceded ancestral lands of the Secwépemc Nation. We are committed to learning and working towards reconciliation along with fostering a culture of respect and equality for all.
