The Spring Rotary Food Drive food bank is taking place this Saturday in Kamloops.

The annual food drive with the local rotary clubs started back in 2008 in the city, and 14 years later, the drive is still going strong.

Kamloops Food Bank Executive Director Bernadette Siracky says every time a food drive is held, which is twice a year, they get roughly 60 thousand pounds of food; equivalent to 30 tonnes in one day.

She says the success over the years is thanks to the local rotary clubs.

“Their mandate is service above self, and they really take this event on as a community and family event and we reach the benefits of that literally one yellow bag at a time.”

Anyone with a yellow bag is reminded to fill it with food and then place it on their doorstep or driveway before 9am on April 30.

Siracky explains that the yellow bags serve as a visual reminder for community members.

“Its become standard I think in town for folks to see a yellow bag with the rotary insignia on it. And they know that they need to fill that with food.”

Especially since COVID she explains there’s a sense of community that comes along with the bag.

“Since COVID, our organization has served people we have never served before, we have witnessed people in situations–dire financial situations– that had nothing to do with their actions, it had everything to do with this pandemic,” said Siracky.

“They had to close their businesses they had to accept funds from the government and they’ve never done that before so we have had a new resurgence of an understanding for what we do and those folks who had to use us for the first time, are back to supporting us but they understand how important it is to have this safety net in place filled with food to give out when people need it.”

A 50/50 is also taking place, tickets can be bought online with the draw taking place on May 10.

Meantime, the food bank is officially opening its Regional Distribution Hub Thursday from 3 pm to 5 pm. its located at 156 Wilson Street.