'Tis the season to think produce and to help families.
The Good Food Box Society of the North Okanagan hopes people will consider signing up for its monthly boxes of fruits and vegetables, or to sponsor a family that could use the help, not just at Christmas, but year-round.
"The demand (for boxes) has gone up 30 to 40 per cent this year," said Donna Antonishak with the Good Food Box Society. "Hungry families are attending food banks but they're not always able to access fresh produce.
"We're getting regular calls from families and individuals that are hungry."
A small box of fruits and vegetables that feeds one-to-two persons is $15 per month. A large box, which would feed three-to-four people, is $25.
The society puts together between 1,200 and 1,300 food boxes per month and of those, 50 per cent are sponsored by people in the community.
"With the high cost of food now, which has jumped up almost double for fruit now because of problems with harvest, we are seeing fruit prices that have jumped 11 to 15 per cent over the last year," said Antonishak.
"Anyone can order the boxes," said Antonishak. "Go to our website (goodfoodbox.ca), locate the donate button, and click on it. People can sponsor families up to any amount. You can donate $150, which will sponsor a family for six months, or it's $300 for the whole year."
The society aims to "enhance community accessibility to affordable, fresh, and locally sourced produce for all residents in the North Okanagan region through robust community collaborations and cooperative purchasing initiatives."
Many families and individuals in the North Okanagan region struggle to afford nutritious food due to financial constraints.
A significant number of children – one in four – lack access to sufficient healthy meals. Similarly, seniors face challenges in balancing expenses like rent, medications, and groceries, with food often being the flexible component of their budget.
This time of year sees an increasing demand for the boxes.
"Over the winter, people are struggling with the high cost of food, increasing rent and utility prices, and just the need for all of the basics," said Antonishak. "There's not even much money left for food after rent and utilities."
The community's generous donations have the potential to make a meaningful impact by expanding the society's reach to more families and individuals in need.
The Good Food Box Society partners with the Community Foundation of North Okanagan who can offer tax receipts for donations. You can also donate to the food box program through their website, cfno.org.
The organization operates on a volunteer basis with minimal administrative costs, and its distribution sites are graciously provided across the North Okanagan region, encompassing Vernon, Westside, Armstrong, Enderby, Lumby, Cherryville, Falkland, and Silver Creek.
