Mom on disability gets boost from food bank

Adonation to this year’s Be an Angel campaign goes beyond Christmas for Tammy and her three children. They have just finished celebrating Hanukkah.

The eight-night Jewish holiday that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness ended on Dec. 10.

While it involves its own traditions — the lighting of the menorah, for example — it also offers an opportunity much like Christmas does, Tammy says.

“It’s nice to be able to have that time to reflect on family,” she says.

But Hanukkah also brings with it similar pressures for gifts and special dinners, says Tammy, whose mother and uncle also live with them. Both Tammy and her mother are on disability, meaning money is especially tight some months.

That’s why they’ve turned to the Central Okanagan Community Food Bank for help.

“I’m trying to make ends meet, but it isn’t easy,” Tammy says. “It’s something I have to do.”

By donating to The Daily Courier’s Be an Angel campaign, you can help Tammy and her children.

They never have lavish holiday plans, Tammy says, but enjoy getting hot chocolate and doughnuts while watching all the lights around town.

Tammy says the food bank is a worthy cause because the staff don’t judge anyone, and the new Enterprise Way location makes clients feel like they’re helping themselves.

“I’m very grateful for it,” she says. “You don’t feel like you’re any less of a person because you go there.”

You can help families like Tammy’s with a donation to Be an Angel. Every dollar stays in the Okanagan to help families that require help this holiday season.

You can Be an Angel four ways: drop by The Daily Courier office 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays to donate cash or by cheque, debit or credit card; use your credit card to donate online at kelownadailycourier.ca (click on the Be an Angel logo); make a contribution at any Valley First Credit Union branch; or use your credit card over the phone by calling The Daily Courier at 250-470-0756.

All contributors will be recognized with their name in the paper, and all donors who give $20 or more will receive a tax receipt. For a list of the latest donations to the campaign, see page A2.