231339
229719
West Kelowna  

Community night in West Kelowna raises $6,780 for food bank

Supporting those in need

A community initiative sponsored by the West Kelowna Warriors to help local restaurants and the Central Okanagan Community Food Bank exceeded expectations.

Dubbed Community Night, residents in the city were encouraged to support local restaurants during a one-night blitz last Thursday.

In return, the Warriors hockey club donated $10 for every order placed over $30. It translated into 678 orders, and $6,780 in much needed support for the food bank.

"It's essential," food bank CEO Trevor Moss said of the donation.

"We can take this money, and put it back into buying food from our suppliers and wholesalers. We can take that and make a greater impact in reference to buying food. It can actually triple the amount."

Moss says grass roots efforts such as these allows the Central Okanagan Community Food Bank, which supports those in need in Kelowna and West Kelowna, to meet the need which has grown steadily due to COVID-19.

"Over the last 27 days, we have actually served 2,800 households. The demand is really, really high."

Moss says that's an increase of 25 to 28 per cent, which includes students, seniors and families with children, many of whom find themselves either out of work, or unable to find seasonal work due to the pandemic.

Warriors team president Chris Laurie came up with the fundraiser after seeing a similar initiative by Global Road Maintenance.

"It's a time of need and a time of difficulty. It was our way of supporting the community when they need our support," said Laurie.

"It means a lot the way the community responded, and helped the small business owners, and in turn helped the West Kelowna food bank."

Laurie says he knew there would be an impact, but says he was pleasantly surprised when he heard some of the 11 restaurants were so busy they weren't able to answer the phones any more.

He indicated some restaurants who were not even participating saw a dramatic increase in sales that night.

Laurie says the Warriors intend to make this an annual event in the community.



More West Kelowna News

229439