$23,000 for the region!
Donations will help fund United Way BC local initiatives
The 11th Annual South Okanagan Drive-Thru Breakfast raised nearly $23,000 on the morning of Thursday, March 2nd! This is the result of the generosity of local businesses and all the amazing community members that showed up, donated, volunteered, and supported this beautiful event. We want to thank all of you for showing your Local Love!
Our volunteers rallied together to welcome hundreds of cars lined up to donate and receive breakfast bags filled with goodies and coupons. A hot breakfast was offered by the Penticton Lakeside Resort and Conference Center, coffee from Tim Hortons, and special handouts from local businesses. Some lucky donors also got incredible hidden prizes, like travel vouchers, resort stays, gift cards, and much more!
Partners made it all possible
The United Way BC South Okanagan Drive-Thru Breakfast was privileged to be supported by an amazing group of sponsors. Their commitment made it possible for the community to come out in support of those most in need across the region.
We want to thank the Penticton Lakeside Resort and Conference Centre for their ongoing partnership in this event. Not only did they provide a spectacular lakeside location and a delicious hot breakfast, but they also played a vital role in coordinating the event and engaging the community’s participation.
A huge shout out to our media sponsors, Castanet, Move 97.1, Bounce Radio, Global Okanagan, and the Penticton Herald, who helped drive our fundraising success by promoting the breakfast and by showing up in the morning to welcome our breakfast guests.
We’re also grateful for the Hospital Employees Union Penticton, who came out to volunteer.
And special thanks to sponsors like Cascades Casino Penticton and Valley First, a Division of First West Credit Union, who joined other organizations in pre-promoting the event, providing hidden prizes, volunteering, and handing out goodies on-site.
From all of us at United Way BC, thank you to our sponsors for your amazing show of Local Love for our community!
Your Impact
Brannigan Mosses, General Manager of the Penticton Lakeside Resort and Conference Centre, highlighted the importance of helping increase food security: “No one should have to decide between food and rent, yet with the ongoing impacts of a pandemic and a global crisis, people living in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities are facing challenges to access healthy, nutritious food.”
This year’s donations to the Drive-Thru Breakfast will help fund local food security initiatives and others, like the Food Infrastructure Grant (FIG). “The FIG, a partnership between United Way BC and the Ministry of Health, helps improve the year-round purchase, storage, and distribution of fresh, culturally appropriate foods to enhance health and well-being,” says Kris Gibson, Provincial Director of Corporate Relations at United Way BC. “The program addresses the specific needs of local communities facing increased food insecurity.”
Unfortunately, one in seven Canadians lives in food-insecure households.
Thanks to the Food Infrastructure Grant, the Lower Similkameen Community Food Hub Farm & Garden – our newest United Way BC Regional Food Hub, has been able to keep and increase its established community garden and community-led initiatives such as gathering and preserving traditional foods.
The United Way BC South Okanagan Drive-Thru Breakfast helps ensure residents from Summerland and Penticton to Princeton and Osoyoos can get the nourishing food they need – building stronger, healthier communities.
There is still a chance to donate! Together, we can strengthen vital connections.
Thank you so much, South Okanagan! See you again next year!