OCNews

Generosity was flowing on Giving Tuesday thanks to the actions of OC faculty, staff, students and alumni.

For OC’s third Giving Tuesday event Nov. 30, bins were filled with non-perishables food items and funds were donated to student food banks in an effort to bolster food security and holiday hampers campus wide. 

In Kelowna, OC faculty and staff stocked two tables with food items in addition to a winter clothing drive. In Penticton, staff and students came together to make beautiful hand-made gift wrap for the season, with the proceeds supporting holiday hampers.

“Staff also selected many gift tags off the tree, which represent students and their families who will be accessing our Holiday Hampers this December,” says Juliana Buitenhuis, Manager, Penticton Campus Life and Administration.

Eric Reist, General Manager for the Vernon Students' Association, says he is feeling overwhelmed by the generosity displayed by staff members.

“The amount of food items and the more than $400 in cash donations will go a long way to supporting students,” says Reist. “It is an honour for me to work with such amazing colleagues who understand, appreciate and support our efforts to provide this service to students.”

Joanne Stacey, Campus Services Assistant in Salmon Arm, is thanking the generous Salmon Arm faculty and staff who donated enough food, cash and warm winter goodies to restock the Okanagan College Students’ Union (OCSU) food shelf and create student hampers.

Helen Jackman, Okanagan College Foundation Executive Director, says the day of giving was inspiring and will go a long way in helping students who are facing financial challenges.

“Thank you to everyone who took part. We had students come up to us at the Kelowna event and share that they use the pantry and that it helps them. Know that the food and other items you donated will bring students some extra comfort this holiday season.”

Anyone who took part in Giving Tuesday was entered in a draw to win a holiday gift basket put together by the Foundation for each campus. The winners are Wanda Radies, Stacey Davidson, Gitan Rakhra and Beverlie Dietze.