
left to right: Mary-Jo Hewat (President of the Board Food Banks Canada), Bernadette Siracky, Kirsten Beardsley (CEO, Food Banks Canada,) and James Schnackenberg. Credit: Food Banks Canada
The Kamloops Food Bank has once again received national recognition for its outstanding service, being awarded the Excellence in Food Banking Award for a large food bank during last week’s Food Banks Canada National Conference in Montreal.
Accepting the honour at the national gala were President and CEO Bernadette Siracky and James Schnackenberg, Non-Perishable Operations Lead. The award, given biannually to a food bank serving more than 1,500 clients a month, celebrates innovation, resilience, and exceptional impact across the Food Banks Canada network.
“It was an honour to be selected amongst this amazing group of passionate and dedicated individuals who wake up every morning with one thought on their mind: advancing humanity,” Siracky said. “Even though I know there are many deserving food banks across Canada accomplishing the same goals, this award is truly an honour.”
This marks the second time the Kamloops Food Bank has received national recognition under Siracky’s leadership, having previously won in 2015 in the medium food bank category.
Meeting Rising Need with Innovation and Community Support
The recognition comes at a time when the demand for food bank services has reached record highs. Over the past few years, the Kamloops Food Bank has seen an 80% increase in clients served since 2021 and now supports more than 10,000 individuals annually. Rising food prices, mortgage rates, and the ongoing impacts of economic instability have brought new faces through the doors each day.
“It’s always surprising how the numbers continue to rise,” Siracky said. “New people access us all the time. The strain is real.”
Despite those challenges, the food bank has managed to grow its services thanks to robust community partnerships and a highly successful food recovery program. In 2024 alone, the organization collected 2.6 million pounds of food — valued at $9.3 million — and through its foodSHARE program, prevented over 25 million pounds of food from entering landfills and avoided three million kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions.
Every grocery store in Kamloops now donates perishable food items such as meat, dairy, produce, and bread. This fresh food supply is critical, says Siracky, as it ensures families, seniors, and children in need are not just getting canned goods, but healthy, nutritious food on a regular basis.
“When I started 17 years ago, we didn’t have this type of abundance,” she said. “We had to build capacity — refrigerated trucks, storage, distribution — and as we did, trust with local retailers grew. It’s made a lasting impact.”
A Leader for the Region and the Country
The Kamloops Food Bank has also emerged as a vital regional hub, storing and distributing food and supplies for smaller communities across the Interior of B.C., and playing a key role during emergencies like wildfires and floods.
“Kamloops Food Bank has consistently demonstrated excellence through innovative programs and resilience in the face of challenges,” said Food Banks Canada CEO Kirstin Beardsley. “Whether through their exceptionally robust food recovery program, their efforts to share expertise, or their leadership during natural disasters, they exemplify impact.”
A Culture of Dedication
Behind the scenes, the organization’s success is built on teamwork and a mission-driven culture. Siracky, who began leading the food bank in 2008, credits the dedication of staff, volunteers, and donors for the food bank’s continued ability to adapt and grow.
“We don’t stay the same. We’re always asking: What’s next? What can we do better?” she said. “We challenge ourselves every day to create better service, build new relationships, and keep improving. That’s what keeps this place dynamic and effective.”
Looking ahead, Siracky says the goal remains the same: to ensure no one in Kamloops or the surrounding region goes hungry — and to do so with dignity, respect, and compassion.
“We may wish for a world where food banks aren’t needed,” she said. “But as long as people face hardship, we’ll be here.”