Connor Shelton
Board Chair
The past year has once again tested the resilience and compassion of our community. With Kamloops experiencing some of the highest unemployment rates in the country and economic pressures continuing to strain families, the need for the Kamloops Food Bank has never been greater. Yet even in the face of these challenges, our organization has continued
to stand strong thanks to the dedication, innovation, and heart of our exceptional team.
The ongoing economic uncertainty has deepened food insecurity for many in our city. Every day, we see the impact of rising costs and limited employment opportunities on the individuals and families we serve. Despite this, we have continued to provide stability, nourishment, and dignity to those who need it most through strong leadership and a deeply committed team.
This year brought the challenge of replacing and maintaining key capital items while remaining fiscally responsible. Through careful financial management and thoughtful planning, we’ve ensured the Kamloops Food Bank remains in a strong financial position even as demand grows. This balance between responsible stewardship and compassionate service is a credit to the dedication of everyone involved.
We also faced disruptions during the Canada Post strike, which created challenges for our usual logistics. Thanks to the
creativity of our staff and the tremendous support of the community, we quickly adapted, implementing new collection
and distribution strategies and achieving a record-breaking 75,000 pounds of food collected. That incredible success
shows the generosity and unity of our community at its best.One of the highlights of the year was receiving the Excellence
in Food Banking Award for large food banks at the Food Banks Canada national conference in June. This national
recognition reflects the innovation, impact, and leadership that the Kamloops Food Bank continues to demonstrate
across the country.
To our President and CEO, Bernadette Siracky, thank you for your continued leadership, dedication, and heart for this
work. To our staff, volunteers, donors, and Board members, thank you for all you do every single day to keep this
organization thriving. Whether sorting food, coordinating donations, delivering programs, or shaping strategy, every role is
vital to our shared success. While this year has been challenging, it has also reaffirmed our purpose. The Kamloops Food
Bank is not just a place that distributes food; it’s a pillar of community resilience. Together, we’ve shown that compassion,
teamwork, and determination can overcome even the toughest circumstances.
To everyone who supports us—thank you. Your generosity and trust make this work possible. Together, we’ll continue to
adapt, serve, and care for one another, no matter what the year ahead brings.
