Food bank makes Christmas magical again
Mom Joei has her hands more than full with three kids five years and younger darting around her legs.
Levi, 5, is the ringleader and brings his sisters — three-year-old Evelyn and Lily, one — on adventures around the Central Okanagan Food Bank offices.
A separation has meant Joei has come to the food bank for help. Her’s is one family you can help this year by donating to Be an Angel. “It’s just a really hard transition,” Joei says. The food bank, she says, is saving their holiday. The stress that’s attached to budgets are less thanks to help she gets from the food bank staff and volunteers.
It’s a “weight off my mind. It’s nice to not have to worry,” she adds.
The food bank expects to deliver 2,000 Christmas hampers — with all the trimmings for a holiday meal, essentials and some gifts — in the Central Okanagan.
As a single mom — who is training to become a doula — Joei says the food bank has to be among Kelowna’s most valuable resources. Joei says without the hand up, she’s not sure what the holiday would look like for the kids. Evelyn loves anything “pink and sparkly” while Lily would love something to cuddle with.
Levi, of course, needs a remote-controlled truck.
She’s not worried about herself.
“You completely put that out of your mind when you’re a single mom.”
On her own, Joei says, “the food bank will bring back the magic of Christmas.”
You can Be an Angel by donating at The Daily Courier, online at kelownadailycourier.ca or by calling 250-470-0756.