Photo: Contributed
The final numbers are not yet in, but donations to the Vernon Salvation Army kettle campaign are expected to top $540,000.
While the campaign didn’t reach its target of $650,000, Neil Thompson with the Vernon Sally Ann says the generosity of North Okanagan residents was “amazing.”
Thompson said they knew it was unlikely they would reach the $650,000 mark during the Christmas campaign, but he was humbled by the support given by the community.
“We raised more than last year,” Thompson said. “Which is incredible considering inflation. It’s remarkable people were able to give to that level. We want to give a big thank you to the community.”
Thompson said demand at the food bank rose a staggering 30% in 2022.
Donations will go to the House of Hope under which the food bank operates, along with other programs such as its Pathway to Hope.
Thompson says the goal of Pathway to Hope is to help people set goals to get them out of the cycle of poverty.
Thompson admits it is a big problem to tackle, but it will benefit not only those in the program, but the community as well, as there will less reliance on assistance.
Donations can be made to the Salvation Army year round, with all of the money staying local.
For more information, visit its website.
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