Members of the Penticton Elks, in collaboration with the Fill the Food Gap Program are looking to set up a community fridge and pantry in downtown Penticton.
The community pantry would be located outside the Elks Club on Robinson Street, and it would have space to store fresh and frozen food, cleaning supplies and hygiene products to those who need them.
The idea is set to be presented to Penticton’s city council on Tuesday, Feb. 1
The proposal is modeled after similar projects in other communities across Canada, such as one in Lake Country.
The pantry’s maintenance and cleaning would be handled by volunteers, as well as the restocking of the fridge and pantry with donations from the community.
It will be built by Dave Corbeil, a local retired journeyman carpenter and building inspector, and the electrical work will be done by a qualified electrician.
The Penticton Elks Club has been an integral part of caring for the community. Recently they donated $5,000 along with space and volunteers to put together Starfish backpacks to students in need in Penticton.
The Elks Lodge opened up their facility in January of 2020 to provide yearly funding and volunteers to assemble the backpacks.
READ MORE: Elks donate to Starfish Backpack program
In September 2021, the Elks raised $5,000 from breakfasts to go to the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund.
The goal of the fund is to raise awareness, education and understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to build connections between them and move towards reconciliation.
READ MORE: Penticton Elks raise and donate $5,000 to reconciliation fund