When Canada Post workers stopped delivering flyers Monday as part of ongoing job action, the Kamloops Food Bank’s carefully planned Fall Food Drive was suddenly in jeopardy. But just days later, thanks to a massive community push, the drive is back on track — and the paper bags will still be on Kamloops doorsteps in time.
The food bank had been counting on Canada Post to deliver 33,000 paper food drive bags on Monday, Sept. 15 — the traditional kickoff for the Rotary Food Drive campaign. But on Friday afternoon, Bernadette Siracky, President and CEO of the Kamloops Food Bank, received a crucial call from a local union representative with a heads-up: the Canadian Union of Postal Workers would be halting flyer delivery as part of its strike action.
“Honestly, I’m grateful to her,” said Siracky. “Without that call, I don’t know if we would have been able to pick [the bags] up before the strike started.”
Food bank staff quickly sprang into action, retrieving all 33,000 bags from the Canada Post distribution centre on Friday afternoon and beginning an urgent weekend scramble to create a new delivery strategy.
“A Little Bit Magical”
Siracky emphasized that the paper bags aren’t just a convenience — they’re essential to the drive’s success. “These bags are almost a little bit magical,” she said. “When people have the bag in their home, it’s a visual reminder. They fill it and put it on their front step. Without that prompt, people are busy — they might forget the food drive is happening.”
And with food bank usage still rising and no signs of plateauing, missing out on this drive wasn’t an option. The Fall Food Drive typically brings in around 50,000 pounds of non-perishable food, which helps stock the shelves through the winter months.
An Overwhelming Response
Despite the short notice, the response from volunteers was immediate and overwhelming. “We were highly concerned when this first happened,” said Siracky. “But what we didn’t know was how powerful the community response would be. Honestly, it shouldn’t have surprised us.”
Within three days, 90% of the city-wide routes for bag distribution were already covered by volunteers — including Kamloops Food Bank board members, local Rotarians, and everyday residents. “We’re going to be able to cover the city,” Siracky confirmed. “It’s absolutely incredible.”
When to Expect a Bag — and What to Do If You Don’t Get One
The food bank anticipates all bags will be delivered by Thursday afternoon (Sept. 18), just in time for pickup during the Rotary Food Drive on Saturday, Sept. 20.
If residents don’t receive a bag by then, Siracky encourages people to still participate: “Use any bag or box you have at home, write ‘Rotary Food Drive’ on it, and leave it on your front step by 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. Rotarians will still pick it up.”
What to Donate
The food bank welcomes any non-perishable items, especially:
- Canned soups and stews
- Canned tuna or meat
- Peanut butter
- Pasta and pasta sauce
- Baby food and formula
- Pet food
- Boxed meals like Kraft Dinner
“If you’re doing a special shop, high-protein items are always great,” Siracky said. “But honestly, whatever you have in your pantry that you can spare — we’re grateful for all of it.”
No More Volunteers Needed (For Now)
With nearly all routes now spoken for, Siracky says the food bank is no longer actively seeking new volunteers for distribution — though she’s appreciative of the incredible outpouring of support.
“We’re shocked at how quickly it filled up. I’ll be on the evening news tonight, and I have a feeling the rest will be gone by the end of the day.”
