Need and generosity running high in the Okanagan

KELOWNA – It seems both generosity and need were running high in the Central Okanagan over the Christmas period. The Salvation Army says it overshot it’s fundraising goal while helping a record number of people.

The Central Okanagan Salvation Army says they had hoped to raise $700,000 with their annual Christmas Kettle campaign but ended up bringing in $745,000. The group says this is the first time in “several years” they’ve hit their fundraising target.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Read More: Mystery donor drops annual $1,000 into Morgantown kettle

The organization says it also helped a record number of people with food and toys. And they expect the high levels of demand for help to continue in 2016.

“This year is setting itself up for hardship for families from the economy, job losses and rising prices for basic needs,” writes executive director Darryl Burry in a press release.

Share this on X Click to share quote on X: "This year is setting itself up for hardship for families from the economy, job losses and rising prices for basic needs," writes executive director Darryl Burry in a press release.

Read More: Hundreds of Christmas hampers bring holiday cheer in Vernon

The Salvation Army says, at Christmas, more than a thousand children were given toys while 21 hundred people were provided with food.