Reflecting on the past year, I find myself once again at the helm of our annual report, commencing with the familiar phrase, "Well – wasn't that a year." As we delve into the challenges and triumphs of the past 12 months, it becomes evident that our journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.
In the face of dramatic increases in food prices and British Columbia's concerning ranking in the Food Banks Canada Poverty Report Card, we stood resilient. The nationwide Hunger Count report sounded alarms about the housing crisis and mortgage challenges fueled by rising inflation rates. Yet, undeterred, we have served the highest number of clients in our history.
Our commitment to excellence shone through with the accolades bestowed upon us, including an award from Recycle BC for our foodSHARE program, the Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence awards for Inclusive Leadership, and an unexpected honor as Business of the Year. This recognition, a testament to years of dedicated effort and relationship building, left us humbled.
In the spirit of progress, we undertook a comprehensive overhaul of our governance documents, safety management program, job descriptions, and standard operating procedures. This strategic initiative aims to strengthen our foundation and enhance our operational efficiency.
As we bid farewell to some incredible team members, we also welcomed new faces into our community. Change, though challenging, is a constant in our dynamic organization, and each transition contributes to our growth.
After the completion of our capital project – the Regional Distribution Hub, we transformed our client waiting area, expanding seating capacity and streamlining distribution. Despite supply chain challenges, our hub remained a bustling center, even accommodating additional donations during the catastrophic fires in the Shuswap, Kelowna, and Lake Country this summer.
Our unwavering commitment to serving diverse communities persisted. We continued to support families from war-torn countries, students from around the globe, and provided record amounts of food to various initiatives, including Starfish Backpacks for elementary school children and our baby bank.
The resiliency of our team, showcased time and again, is the backbone of our organization. No obstacle – be it fire, flood, pandemic, renovation, or volunteer fluctuations – hinders us from fulfilling our purpose.
Heartfelt gratitude goes to our dedicated staff and Board of Directors, who share a common vision and purpose. Together, we form a unique crew – bonded, supportive, efficient, and indispensable in our contribution toward food security for all.
Yet, as we express thanks, a longing remains. The lines of my poem for the inclusive leadership award describe this sentiment:
"In the depths of our hearts, we long for a day, when poverty's grip will finally give way. We dream of a world where no one's in need, where everyone's basic requirements are guaranteed."
In this pursuit of a better world, we press on, knowing that our collective efforts make a difference. Here's to another year of resilience, compassion, and positive impact.
Return to Annual Report 2022It 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.
