B.C. couple have logged over 3,600 hours to food bank<\/p>\n
Published 12:30 pm Tuesday, December 23, 2025<\/p>\n
Two local heroes have been highlighted for their dedication to serving others at the Central Okanagan Food Bank (COFB).<\/p>\n
Kelowna residents Warren and Donna Grasdal recently got the opportunity to travel to Lower Mainland to see the Vancouver Canucks play.<\/p>\n
They were honoured at the match as part of the BCLC Community Heroes segment, as they cranked the game horn to get the crowd cheering.<\/p>\n
Warren and Donna were chosen because of their \u201ctireless dedication\u201d to the COFB mission.<\/p>\n
Collectively, the two have volunteered over 3,600 hours at the food bank since 2022 doing a variety of tasks from sorting food, to creating food hampers and even delivering baskets to partners and community members.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were very involved in the community where we previously lived (in Alberta), and when we relocated to Kelowna, we started looking into different opportunities to meet new people and get involved in the community. The COFB was a perfect fit,\u201d said Warren.<\/p>\n
Donna said her favourite task is creating hampers for people with dietary restrictions.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople with dietary restrictions aren\u2019t always able to receive everything on their wish list so it\u2019s wonderful to be able to put a note in their box if we were able to provide them with a speciality item that we know they will appreciate,\u201d Donna said. \u201cWe\u2019ve heard feedback from staff that clients have actually called in to express their gratitude and said they felt like their hamper was built just for them \u2013 that feedback is really special.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe genuinely care about going the extra mile and putting care into the work we do,\u201d said Warren. \u201cIt\u2019s great to be somewhere where you feel like you\u2019ve really made an impact on someone\u2019s life. We are treated like family here. It\u2019s a really special place to be.\u201d<\/p>\n
The staff at COFB shared their gratitude for having Warren and Donna.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means the world to us at COFB to have such dedicated volunteers like Warren and Donna. From the time they arrive at 6am to get to work, they are fully present, patient, organized and committed to their community,\u201d said Arella Hordyk, communications coordinator. \u201cWe are beyond grateful for their support, hard work, and the way they advocate for COFB and our clients.\u201d<\/p>\n