PEACHLAND – The Peachland Food Bank now has a new home and the community will get some new homes for deserving families as a result of a partnership between the food bank, the District of Peachland and Habitat for Humanity.
The district is donating the site of the old food bank to the home building charity so it can build three duplexes for deserving families.
“Habitat’s problem, if we have a problem, is land cost. It’s expensive in the valley so to be able to get free land, we’re really happy,” says Habitat for Humanity spokesperson Ed McLean.
In return, Habitat refurbished a ramshackle, residential garage, owned by the district, into the new food bank facility.
“This one isn’t a lot bigger, except we get a bathroom and a kitchen, but the configuration is better,” says food bank spokesperson Judy Bedford. “We’ll be able to have more volunteers and more participation with the community, so it’s awesome.”
The Peachland mayor is pleased the new food bank site is centrally located.
Before it was up in the hills and people had to take a bus to get there. Now we have so many people accessing it more easily. We’re thrilled it’s open,” says Cindy Fortin.
Construction of the duplexes starts in 2015.
in the 20 years Habitat for Humanity has been active in the Okanagan, the organization has built two dozen homes.
Recipient families contribute “sweat equity” by helping build the houses.
The charity provides them interest free mortgages and doesn’t demand a down payment.
Comments