CBC B.C.'s Make the Season Kind has raised $523K and counting for food banks
CBC
As Taylor Swift and her legions of fans descend on downtown Vancouver on Friday, CBC B.C. is hosting its 38th annual Make the Season Kind fundraiser — just steps away from where the superstar will perform tonight — in support of food banks across the province.
Each year, CBC B.C. puts on special programming and events to accompany the fundraiser, all designed to support fellow citizens in need of help from one of 110 food banks in the province.
As of 10:30 a.m. PT, a total of $523,000.61 had been raised.
Last year, more than $2.4 million was raised for Food Banks B.C. CBC B.C. has raised more than $19 million since the annual food bank fundraiser began in 1986.
On Friday morning, a live studio audience enjoyed live interviews, musical performances and special guests at the CBC Vancouver broadcast centre, while many more tuned into the radio broadcast or watched via a livestream.
B.C. Premier David Eby, drag performer Kendall Gender and Is It Cake? star Jujhar Mann were among those who appeared on Make the Season Kind's special morning broadcast.
Events continue through the afternoon on Friday at CBC. You can join us on the outdoor plaza at the CBC Vancouver building, 700 Hamilton St., from noon until 6 p.m. PT for the live radio show, with special guests including Burnaby soccer legend Christine Sinclair, live musicians, a 360 photo booth and free Swiftie-inspired friendship bracelet making tables.
Those tuning in across the province can watch live on CBC Gem, the CBC B.C. YouTube channel and cbc.ca/bc, or listen on CBC Radio One.
According to Food Banks B.C., record numbers of people have turned to food banks this year. For the first time, B.C. food banks served over 100,000 different people in one month.
Economist David Williams said food prices have increased about 30 per cent since 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The things that are concerning people the most are food and shelter," he said.
One out of every three food bank users is a child, while one in 10 is a senior. Williams said many are new immigrants to the province.
Food Banks B.C. says about a quarter of food bank users are employed, but their income is not enough to cover essential expenses.
In November, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives released a new report showing that the living wage across B.C. is going up, reaching as high as $28.09 in Whistler. As of June 1, the minimum wage across B.C. is $17.40 per hour.
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