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Weekly meals for neighbors in need in Kelowna

Help keep a free food pantry open for neighbors in need in Kelowna.

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Luca Wade
Email verifiedPassport verified
Kelowna
Since 2021, our volunteer team has run Open Hands Pantry every Sunday from the back of a school canteen. We started with 30 families, and now we feed 261 each week. Donations have dropped by about 36% this summer, while the line has grown every single week. We rely on volunteers - 12 of us - and keep no salaries or overhead. I buy staples at wholesale prices at the Kelowna market and keep every receipt. Each $40 feeds a family of four for a week. All of the funds go to groceries, fresh produce, and cold-storage costs. Where the $1,250 goes: • Refrigeration and electricity: $210 • Fresh vegetables and fruit: $460 • Baby formula and diapers: $580 Every share and every dollar helps.

Updates from Luca

  1. Good news. Because of your gifts ($724 in total) I made the first payment toward fresh vegetables and fruit. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely.

  2. Thank you all. We're at 35% now ($436). I'm honestly stunned. the first invoice got paid this week.

  • Ebru Yavuz 🇹🇷 · $31
  • Amparo K. Reyes 🇨🇴 · $10
  • Anonymous 🇳🇬 · $68

    “Best of luck. My sister told me about this one. - Onitsha”

  • Sara Sosina Taye 🇪🇹 · $100

    “Thinking of you. Shared with friends too. - Hawassa”

  • Omar Imran Alam 🇮🇳 · $20

    “Only $20 but hope it helps. - Indore”

  • Khadija Noor Badawi 🇪🇬 · $10
  • Njoroge Karanja 🇰🇪 · $25
  • Irfan Ali Kazmi 🇵🇰 · $50
  • Bennett Wong 🇬🇧 · $20
  • Anonymous 🇬🇭 · $50
  • Marisol H. Mora 🇪🇸 · $25
  • Kagiso B. Williams 🇿🇦 · $10
  • Maurício Sebastião Teixeira 🇧🇷 · $68
  • Zola P. Zulu 🇿🇦 · $50
  • Anonymous 🇪🇸 · $20

    “Praying for you. Hope the December deadline works out. - Madrid”

  • Petro Sergeev 🇷🇺 · $50

    “Thought of Luca all day after reading this. - Novosibirsk”

  • Desmond T. Lewis 🇯🇲 · $50
  • Kioko Byaruhanga Kessy 🇺🇬 · $50
  • Suresh C. Garg 🇮🇳 · $25
  • Rohan A. Dave 🇮🇳 · $100

    “From my family to yours. Been where you're, it gets better. - Rajkot”

Reviews

3.7(6 reviews)

Only people who gave to this need, or whose offer to help was accepted, can review it.

  • Nicolás H. Navarro🇪🇸Verified donor
    Reliable and compassionate

    This is what community support looks like. They didn't just offer generic advice; they provided personalized help tailored to my specific situation.

  • Sarah Janet Abdul🇬🇭Verified donor
    Would recommend to anyone

    The support I received was beyond what I expected. Not only did they help with the immediate need, but they also provided guidance for long-term solutions. I'm forever grateful.

  • Neelam L. Oberoi🇮🇳Verified helper
    Quick response, great follow-up

    I was skeptical at first, but this person proved to be reliable and genuinely interested in helping. Their response time was incredible and their solutions were practical.

  • Arjun J. Kashyap🇮🇳Verified helper
    Changed my perspective

    I had a complex problem and this person helped me navigate it step by step. Their expertise combined with their kindness made all the difference.

  • Geetha S. Balakrishnan🇮🇳Verified helper
    Very responsive and caring

    Perfect example of someone making a real difference. They took time out of their busy schedule to help me and never made me feel like a burden.

  • Sơn Tuấn Duong🇻🇳Verified donor
    Really cared about my situation

    The help I received was exactly what was described and more. This person follows through on their commitments and genuinely cares about making a positive impact.

Questions & comments

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  • Sending good thoughts, Luca. Great idea, hope you get there. I have a 5 year old who wants to send good wishes too. God bless.

    • Wishing you the best, Luca. Gave what I could, wish it was more. Don't lose heart. A few weeks ago I was in a hole too and it changed faster than I expected. Blessings.

      • Dwi Teguh SaputraPhoto verified

        Sending good thoughts, Luca. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. Our whole street has been following this since the weekend

        • Rooting for you. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. Sent it to 26 people at work. Thinking of Kelowna

          • Thinking of you and your family, Luca. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. I went through something like this 11 years ago and strangers helped me out. Greetings from Adama.

            • I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. Love from Accra.

              $1,143 raised of $1,250

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