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Thanks to a number of generous donations from ������Ƶ faculty, staff and our community, the shelves in ������Ƶ’s student union food banks and the KLO community fridge will be well stocked for the holidays. 

������Ƶ Foundation’s Giving Tuesday food drive inspired hundreds of donated food items and cash donations totalling more than $12,000 in support of student food security through November and December.  This includes a $5,000 donation from the ������Ƶ Faculty Association (������ƵFA). 

Donations made to the Student Food Security Fund go the ������Ƶ Student Unions, which support food banks on all four campuses – Penticton, Vernon, Kelowna and Salmon Arm. A portion of the funds also support the KLO community fridge, located on the Kelowna campus.

The donations are incredible, says Terry Bridges, chair of the department of Physics and Astronomy, and one of the volunteers with the Breakfast Club, which supports the KLO fridge.

“The ������Ƶ Breakfast Club and ������ƵSU are extremely grateful for the support that ������Ƶ staff, students, alumni, and community partners have given to the fridge this semester, including Giving Tuesday,” says Bridges.

“We know that student food insecurity is a significant problem on our campus, and we have observed a huge take-up of food from the fridge this semester. Typically, the fridge is empty one to two hours after being filled. We have had very positive feedback and gratitude from students who are using the fridge, and we are happy to be making a difference in the lives of our students.”

The ������Ƶ Foundation would like to thank everyone who participated in Giving Tuesday activities.

For those who would still like to make a year-end gift, the ������Ƶ Foundation is highlighting student food security and the Recreation and Wellness Centre as two areas where support will make a meaningful difference to student success. 

The Thrive Here campaign for a Recreation and Wellness Centre is completely community funded, with the Foundation recently announcing its raised $12 million towards its $14-million community goal. 
 
A reminder that in order to be eligible for a 2024 tax receipt, all gifts must be made by Dec. 31, 2024.  
 
Visit the ������Ƶ Foundation to learn more. 

For those who would like to learn more about the community fridge, email, ocfridgekelowna@gmail.com.