Central Okanagan Food Bank is a 3-star charity that is not financially transparent. It has an above-average results reporting grade of B+. For every dollar donated, 98 cents are available to go towards the cause. Its reserve funds can cover two years and ten months of annual program costs.

In 2015 Westside Community Food Bank and Kelowna Community Food Bank joined together to form Central Okanagan Food Bank (COFB). Central Okanagan Food Bank is a charity located in British Columbia that wants to create a health and hunger-free community by providing nutritious food to those in need. COFB lists inflation as an individual’s #1 reason (34%) for visiting a food bank. In fiscal 2023 (year ended June), COFB spent $13.5m on its programs (including $12.0m in donated food). The charity’s programs are Food Distribution and Recovery, and Emergency Response. COFB did not provide a spending breakdown, but Charity Intelligence determined that most of the spending went towards the Food Distribution and Recovery program.

Food Distribution and Recovery: This program includes a variety of nutrition programs including Tiny Bundles program, Kids Snack Pack program, Vitality program, and more. COFB reports that it provides over 20,000 kids snack packs each year, and more than 5,000 meals weekly at 34 schools across the Okanagan. The charity also recovers perishable food from 18 local grocery partners. Edible food is distributed to individuals and community agencies. Inedible foods are distributed to farmers for animal feed or sent for compost. In F2023 COFB reports distributing 3,037,343 pounds of food to 87,407 individuals. In F2023, 3,807 of these clients were new.

Emergency Response: Central Okanagan Food Bank distributes food supplies for individuals and communities following a crisis like a natural disaster. Since F2020, COFB has responded to five major crises. In F2023, COFB distributed more than 900 emergency food hampers during the Kelowna wildfires.

Central Okanagan Food Bank does not post its financials on its website. Ci received these statements by reaching out to the charity.

In F2023, Central Okanagan Food Bank received $5.1m in Canadian donations and special events revenue, a 22% increase from $4.2m in F2022. In F2023, COFB also received $10.7m in food donations. Administrative costs are 1% of revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 1% of donations. For every dollar donated, 98 cents are available to go towards the cause. In F2023, COFB spent $13.5m on its programs which represents 38% of total revenues excluding the goods in kind.

In F2023, COFB had reserve funds of $4.3m. COFB can cover two years and ten months of annual program costs with its current reserves.

Included in these reserve funds is $2.6m that is internally restricted for several initiatives including the launch of satellite locations, the launch of the More than Food Program, construction on the community kitchen, and a new building in West Kelowna.

Profile updated on July 25, 2024 by Abby Stout.