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Donation pays for computers, refrigeration equipment at food bank

Funding provided through Community Foundation of South Okanagan
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JOHN ARENDT NEW REFRIGERATOR Sarah Trudeau of the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan and John Bubb, president of the Summerland Food Bank and Resource Centre examine a new refrigerator at the food bank. The funding for a refrigerator, freezer and three computers was provided from the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan.

The Summerland Food Bank and Resource Centre has three new computers, a refrigerator and an upright freezer as a result of funding from the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan.

The funding was for $6,550.

John Bubb, president of the centre, said the existing refrigerator and freezer at the food bank were aging.

The centre is in the lower level of the Summerland United Church.

The computers will have a full suite of Microsoft programs and will be used by clients who need Internet access, those assembling resumes and filling out job application forms and those taking online job training.

“We had someone here almost every day for a month, training to become a professional driver,” Bubb said.”We’re trying to give people as much of an opportunity as we can to get into the job market.”

Sarah Trudeau of the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan said the money comes from the interest from an endowment fund.

Roughly $400,000 is given out each year. Some of the money is earmarked for specific communities or specific types of organizations.

An external committee reviews the grant applications before making decisions on which ones will receive the funding.

The food bank and resource centre provides food and services for those in need.

From July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017, a total of 466 people in 231 households received food assistance. These included 129 children.

Bubb said this number is down slightly from recent years.

During the same time period, there were at least 286 uses of the computer equipment at the centre. The centre also assisted with resumes and job searches, photocopying, fax use and training courses.



John Arendt

About the Author: John Arendt

John Arendt has worked as a journalist for more than 30 years. He has a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Journalism degree from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute.
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