Communities step up to send supplies to B.C. wildfire evacuees

As wildfires have forced people to evacuate their homes in B.C.’s Interior, communities across the province are stepping up to help those who have been displaced.

A team of people at Guru Nanak Food Bank — which has locations in Surrey, Delta, and Abbotsford — was busy Monday packing up a van full of food and hygiene supplies to be sent to a food bank in the Okanagan.

“The wildfire situation in Kelowna is really bad,” said Neeraj Walia, secretary of the food bank. “We have been approached by councillor Mohini Singh and the Okanagan Central Food Bank.”

Neeraj Walia, secretary of the Guru Nanak Food Bank. (Angela Bower, CityNews)

Walia tells CityNews they will be sending out necessities such as water, Gatorade, power bars, and food items that don’t require cooking.

They will also send hygiene products, as well as diapers, which are just a few much-needed essentials among the evacuees.

A team at Guru Nanak Food Bank preparing supplies to be sent to wildfire evacuees in B.C.’s Interior. (Angela Bower, CityNews)

The delivery was expected to arrive in the Okanagan Tuesday morning.

“Hopefully, we will get there first thing in the morning, by 10 o’clock. And if we see they need more supplies, we will send more for sure,” Walia said.

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Pavneet Singh, the owner of several Kelowna restaurants, has been supporting those fighting the fires, as well as those who have been displaced.

“Food, and hygiene stuff, toothpaste, toilet paper, water, granola bars, and stuff like that,” he said of items being handed out to those in need.

Pavneet Singh, a Kelowna restaurateur who has been helping feed wildfire crews and evacuees in B.C.’s Interior. (Angela Bower, CityNews)

Over the weekend, Singh and his team were handing out pizzas and pitas to those who needed them.

“We have served about 1,000 people or maybe more but it depends on the location. Some locations we serve more but I’d say a little more than 1,000 people,” he explained.

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The Kelowna restaurateur says giving back to his community is his duty, as he wants to support those who have been supporting him over the years.

“We live in a beautiful city. Kelowna is such a great community and all the businesses wouldn’t be there if the community did not support those who have supported us for many, many, years,” Singh said.

Some of Pavneet Singh’s team who have been helping feed wildfire crews and evacuees in B.C.’s Interior. (Angela Bower, CityNews)

The McDougall Creek wildfire in West Kelowna led to thousands of people being put on evacuation orders or alerts, with dozens of structures destroyed. The fire is estimated to be burning at 12,000 hectares.