Last chance to register for the 'Set the Table' food drive

Photo: Castanet Staff

There are just a few more days to register to take part in the “Set the Table” annual holiday food drive by Total Restoration and Castanet.

Total Restoration Crews will be driving by participating homes and businesses to collect donations through contactless curb-side pick up. With pickup dates ranging between Dec. 7 and Dec. 11, the cut off to sign up for a pickup is Dec. 3.

Nearly 5,000 people in Kelowna and West Kelowna receive assistance from the Central Okanagan Food Bank every month. Recently, client registration has spiked and client usage has seen an increase of almost 27 per cent.

"I have to be honest, it's been absolutely crazy," says Tammie Watson, chief development officer with the Central Okanagan Food Bank.

Watson said last year the food bank provided about 1,800 Christmas hampers to residents. This year they are expecting to distribute 2,500.

"With COVID being what it is right now within our city, CERB ending, financial insecurity being way higher than it's ever been in the past, our numbers just continue to grow," she said.

Those who sign up to contribute to the food drive will have a chance at winning $500 worth of gift cards to local businesses.

"We're asking everyone to put their donations out on their front porch or at the end of their driveway and our vehicles will go around and pick everything up and bring it to the food bank," said CEO of Total Restoration Marisa Wilson, adding that participants should leave their donations in bags or boxes. 

After signing up, you will be emailed with a specified date and time for your pickup. 

You can sign up for Set the Table here.

with files from Miriam Halpenny