Mysterious $200,000 donation helps food bank pay off mortgage

Somewhere in the Okanagan today, someone very, very generous is likely smiling to themselves.

This person, or perhaps organization, is smiling because their nearly $200,000 donation has helped the Central Okanagan Community Food Bank pay off their mortgage.

Food bank Vice President Helen Holton announced today that the central Okanagan food bank has paid off the mortgage on its West Kelowna building three years ahead of schedule, thanks in large part to a $190,000 anonymous donation.

Holton said that, on June 30 this year, the organization made its final payment, thanks to the anonymous generosity and revenues from their pop bottle collection program.

The donation was given with specific instructions that it be used it towards the mortgage.

The food bank bought the West Kelowna building in 2009, for about $420,000. Holton said that, at the time, relocating from their “tiny tin box” to the new location was like “moving into a palace.”

The new building was much bigger, in the downtown core and close to public transportation for clients.

To mark the end of their mortgage payments, members of the food bank’s board did a ceremonial mortgage burning in the driveway of the Churchill Street location, setting fire to a mock-copy of their mortgage.

“Burn, baby, burn,” Holton exclaimed as the flames consumed the document.

Holton said that, with their 1,800 monthly mortgage payment now taken off the table, the food bank can commit to program delivery.

She said most of that programming will be buying nutritious food for the food bank's most vulnerable clients.

“It means more money to buy food for those in need,” she said.

Holton also thanked the many community organizations and local businesses whose help contributed to paying off the mortgage.