Lake Country Food Bank project delayed

LAKE COUNTRY – It’s the busiest time of year for many Okanagan food banks and in Lake Country, volunteers have to make do with a very cramped space.

“It’s such a small space. If you try to get too many volunteers then you’re tripping over one another,” says Beverly Marsh, a member of the Board of Directors for the Lake Country Food Bank.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It's such a small space. If you try to get too many volunteers then you're tripping over one another," says Beverly Marsh, a member of the Board of Directors for the Lake Country Food Bank.

The Lake Country Rotary Club recognized the food bank’s need for a larger space, and five years ago started fundraising to try and make that happen.

“They really deserved a better spot for that and we felt that the community itself was capable of doing a project like this,” says Bob Rymarchuk, Special Projects Director for the Lake Country Rotary Club.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "They really deserved a better spot for that and we felt that the community itself was capable of doing a project like this," says Bob Rymarchuk, Special Projects Director for the Lake Country Rotary Club.

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About $300,000 has been raised through grants, community donations and a grand prize win in the Aviva Fund contest. As a result, construction began in the spring.

Okanagan College Trades students, volunteers and contractors all banded together to build the facility.

“We’ve had tremendous help from all of our suppliers as well as everybody that we’ve worked with and talked to, everybody is chipping in so it’s awesome,” says Rymarchuk.

However, things haven’t gone quite as planned. The food bank was hoping to be moved into the new space by now, in time for the holiday season, however that didn’t happen.

“Unfortunately we weren’t quite ready for them to come in here in time to do that Christmas hamper program so they’re doing it in their own location,” says Rymarchuk.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Unfortunately we weren't quite ready for them to come in here in time to do that Christmas hamper program so they're doing it in their own location," says Rymarchuk.

However, the Rotary Club plans to turn the building over to the food bank just before Christmas. As volunteers eagerly wait to hear when they can transfer to the new location, they’re making the most of the space they have in order to fulfill the holiday season needs.

“It feels really good that they’re going to have food for their Christmas and be able to eat,” says food bank volunteer Elaine Andrew.

If all goes as planned, this will be the last holiday season in the cramped headquarters.

The Lake Country Rotary Club is hoping to raise another $25,000 to $30,000 to pay for the final touches on the new food bank building. To donate, contact the rotary club by phone at 250-718-1156.