The ribs were great yet again and the fundraising goal was surpassed at the Rotary RibFest this summer.
After smashing their fundraising goal, the Interior Savings Sunrise Rotary RibFest Committee has donated $10,000 to Shoe Bank Canada to assist with the collection and distribution of shoes to those in need in the Central Okanagan.
“This is a great example of how proceeds from RibFest go back into the community,” said Andy Griffin, president of the Kelowna Sunrise Rotary Club. “This year’s Interior Savings Sunrise Rotary RibFest raised over $40,000, all of which will be used to help build brighter futures for people in need.”
RibFest is a free, three-day, family festival featuring a great line-up of entertainment, a Kids Zone and of course championship ribbers who travel across the country competing for the title of best ribs and sauce and the coveted People’s Choice Award.
Funds raised from the event are donated to groups like the Foundry, NOW Canada, the Central Okanagan Food Bank and the locally-based Shoe Bank Canada who was the main beneficiary for this year’s event.
Jim Belshaw, board chair and founder of Shoe Bank Canada said the donation goes a long way.
“Last year alone, we provided over 3,000 pairs of shoes to the working poor and homeless in 900 local households,” he said. “This $10,000 donation will further our cause of providing shoes to those in need here in the Central Okanagan, across B.C. and Canada.”
With just two years of history in Kelowna, RibFest is already catching the support and attention of people from across the Okanagan. According to Kathy Conway, CEO of Interior Savings, the event’s title sponsor.
“The park was brimming with energy at this year’s RibFest. We saw over 20,000 people enjoy the festivities, we exceeded fundraising goals by 50 per cent and engaged over 200 volunteers. As a locally-based credit union, it is an honour to be part of an event so warmly embraced by our community.”
Dates are set for the 3rd Annual Interior Savings Sunrise Rotary RibFest. A few weeks earlier this year, you’ll find the event in Kelowna City Park August 24-26, 2018. Learn more at www.ribfestkelowna.com.
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