FILE PHOTO
Image Credit: Pixabay
March 29, 2021 - 7:30 AM
With parents in need of food, diapers and other resources for their little ones, a Kelowna-based charity is looking to fill that need in the South Okanagan.
Mamas for Mamas, a national charity that helps new parents and caregivers with branches across the country, is looking for a new storefront space in the south, said Crystal Boros, branch co-ordinator for the South Okanagan.
The non-profit's southern branch has seen roughly a 50% increase in need since the beginning of the pandemic for diapers, wipes and more. It’s worse in smaller communities outside of Penticton, in Osoyoos and the Boundary area, with about a 60% increase in need, she said.
Boros is currently working for Mamas for Mamas based out of her home and their Facebook group has been established for a few years in the South Okanagan but there’s a need for a brick and mortar location, especially with the impact of COVID-19 on families.
The premises will ideally include a pantry, counselling resources, referral services and information services and act as a southern hub to distribute goods to families, she said.
"Some people may just have been getting by pre-pandemic with food and grocery bills and now during the pandemic they have to choose whether to feed their families just canned goods because that's all the budget allows for," she said. They also have a garden in Penticton and can provide caregivers with fresh food and produce for free.
READ MORE: 10 badass women of the Thompson-Okanagan for International Women's Day
“Even the community has just said what a need for the community for someone to be able to come into an actual space,” Boros said. The ideal location would be downtown Penticton with access to bus services but they won’t limit themselves to that area if the offer arises, she said.
The non-profit is hoping to open its South Okanagan location as soon as possible, she said.
Boros is asking if anyone has office space available to contact her through her email.
Mamas for Mamas is a nation-wide charity that started in 2015 in Kelowna.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Carli Berry or call 250-864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2021