Be An Angel: Life changing support provided by Central Okanagan Food Bank

Photo: Contributed

Crystal

Castanet is proud to partner with the Central Okanagan Food Bank on their 27th annual 'Be An Angel' campaign. Over the next month, we will be sharing the stories of local residents helped by the organization.

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Crystal has been utilizing the Central Okanagan Food Bank’s services for a little over a year, and it has quickly become life changing for her. Crystal is a single senior who currently resides an hour outside of Kelowna. When asked, Crystal expressed that she never expected to be in the situation she is currently faced with.

Many years ago, she ran a successful bookkeeping business out of West Kelowna. However, after experiencing a devastating car crash that left her needing multiples surgeries and developing crippling arthritis, she was forced to close her business. Her and her husband decided to sell their home and retire peacefully on a rural property. Unfortunately, the retirement they imagined and deserved didn’t pan out as expected. Eight years ago, Crystal’s husband was diagnosed with leukemia and shortly after succumbed to the illness.

Since her husband’s passing, Crystal has found it difficult to get by both emotionally and financially. As inflation has skyrocketed over the last year, affording nutritious food has been out of reach for her. Crystal’s health suffered because of this, resulting in her developing a GI infection and needing medical attention at Kelowna General Hospital. Through the doctor’s recommendation, it led her to inquire about the Central Okanagan Food Bank. Crystal now participates in the vitality hamper program which ensures seniors, households with children, and people living with health conditions are provided with the balanced essential nutrients they require to stay strong and nourished. Her hamper is the difference between her living off toast and tea to avoid debilitating hunger. Crystal cannot put into words how grateful she is to everyone that contributes to COFB organization including the donors, volunteers, and staff.

You can Be an Angel three ways:

• Donate online at www.cofoodbank.com/BeAnAngel
• Call the Central Okanagan Food Bank at 250-763-7161 to donate by credit card, or
• Drop by the Central Okanagan Food Bank office 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday to donate by cash, cheque, debit, or credit card

Donations are accepted Dec 1st until Dec 31st. The Thomas Alan Budd Foundation will match all individual donations by 20% (excluding corporate, foundations and estate gifts) up to a maximum.