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As food insecurity drastically rose this past summer, a beautiful friendship blossomed between the Central Okanagan Food Bank and Khalsa Aid Canada, who were both committed to fighting hunger. Khalsa Aid Canada chose to support the food bank by purchasing the COFB’s most needed item each month. One month it was baby formula, another month was granola bars for kids’ snack packs, and most recently it was oatmeal for our Christmas hampers.

Jasbir Singh is the head representative of the Kelowna Chapter of Khalsa Aid Canada, which was established in 2019. Although Khalsa Aid Canada is known for its international efforts, it was equally important to the Kelowna Chapter to support those in need within their own community. Jasbir says “The Central Okanagan Food Bank was the first non-profit organization that we partnered with in Kelowna, and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve our local communities.” He adds that “Khalsa Aid doesn’t provide aid for viewership or recognition; we do it because we believe in the well-being of all.”

Khalsa Aid Canada is a non-governmental organization that delivers humanitarian aid to people worldwide. Nimble bureaucracy within the organization allows for quick and flexible response times to humanitarian issues both locally and internationally. For example, during the BC floods in November 2021, the organization arranged a helicopter within 24 hours of a request to assist people stranded in Hope. Similarly, within a week of the crisis being declared in Ukraine, Khalsa Aid Canada had volunteers on the ground in Poland providing aid to refugees, which they continue to provide today in the form of medical aid.

The COFB is honored to be partnered with such an incredible humanitarian organization like Khalsa Aid and looks forward to continuing working together in the future.