About Us
Who We Are
We are a team of change-makers who believe that every helping hand can feed families and create a better future for them.
The Nicola Valley Food Bank began in the 1990’s and since that time we have seen an increase in demand for service. We are continually trying new and innovative ways to assist those on lower incomes in the Nicola Valley with the challenges of accessing food.
Our society is primarily run by volunteers who can number up to 27 at a time. These volunteers do many tasks ranging from dealing directly with clients during the day to day operations to sorting and repackaging donations all the way to providing overall administrative governing guidelines as done by the Board of Directors for the society.
VISION, MISSION AND VALUES
- Integrity – We are honourable, inclusive, respectful, and trustworthy.
- Dignity – We see and respect the inherent value and worth of every British Columbian.
- Accountability – We are accountable to our members and transparent in our dealings with all stakeholders.
- Collaboration – We share and work with our stakeholders and each other collaboratively towards common goals.
- Equity – We advocate for and believe in equitable access to food for all British Columbians.
- Responsiveness – We adapt and respond appropriately to changing conditions with timeliness, flexibility, and innovation.
The NVFB acknowledges, with gratitude, that we conduct our work and live within the traditional territories of the Nlaka’pamux and Syilx Nations.
Board of Directors
Sarah Molnar
ChairSarah is a creative and community minded person, a mother to 3 boys, a wife, a potter, and a passionate knitter. For many years, she owned and ran Brambles Bakery in Merritt, which satisfied a desire to provide nourishment – both in the form of delicious food but also in a welcoming community hub where folks could gather and connect. She is currently completing her Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology and feels privileged to be working in a field where she can hold space for people’s emotional growth. Working on the board of the Nicola Valley Food Bank lends similar fulfilment, especially as the Food Bank strives towards sustainability in challenging times.
Nicole Shulte
Vice-chairMy name is Nicole, and I sit as the Vice Chair for the Nicola Valley Food Bank. I first became involved with the Nicola Valley Food Bank as a front-end volunteer over the Winter Holiday season of 2023. My schedule no longer afforded me this time, yet I wanted to remain involved, so I joined the Board. The previous board worked hard at moving our Food Bank forward in our community, initiating some major growth, including the procurement of property for the expansion of space as well as programming. I am excited to be part of seeing the next steps come to fruition for our community and all the people it serves.
Una Kuzio
SecretaryI was born in White Rock, British Columbia and I grew up in various communities in the Lower Mainland living with my father and two older brothers. I attended high school in Surrey, British Columbia at Earl Marriott Secondary School. After completing my undergraduate degree at Simon Fraser University (Bachelor of Arts with a major in Criminology), I moved to London, Ontario to attend the law school at the University of Western Ontario.
I was offered a position as a summer student in 2006 at a large, full service law firm in Kelowna where I also completed my articles in 2007-2008 and began my career as a licensed lawyer in 2008. I have been practicing law in Kelowna since April of 2008. In early 2012, I moved my practice to a small local law firm before opening Touchstone Law Group LLP in Kelowna in October 2012 with a partner. Running Touchstone Law Group LLP provides an opportunity to combine my law practice with the chance to engage more in the business side of the legal industry.
In 2018, I relocated to Merritt, BC and share my time between the Kelowna office and a part-time, appointment only office in Merritt. I appreciate the opportunity I get to engage individuals in both communities in the course of my practice. While I frequently get asked about it, the commute between Merritt and Kelowna is not that bad and provides a great opportunity to engage in higher level thinking and enjoying the unlimited supply of available podcasts.
In my law practice, I have focused primarily on business law and real estate. In these areas, I really enjoy working closely with my clients and referral sources on both their personal and business related matters. I enjoy working with both first time homebuyers, new business start-ups in addition to well established businesses in the Okanagan. I strive to provide highly personal services to my clients in an expedient manner. The best compliment I can receive from my existing clients and referral sources are the referrals of your friends, family members and clients. I welcome the opportunity to assist new clients with their personal or business legal needs. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance.
Outside the office, I enjoy spending time with my husband, stepdaughters, dogs and friends, camping, sledding, and hiking.
Jean Perog
TreasurerI have been a volunteer in the community in various capacities since 1990. I am a retired CPA with over 20 years working in Health Care and have a continuing interest in Community Economic Development. I believe these make me a valuable board member. I have been in the Nicola Valley since 1987 and later built a home in 2016, I relocated to the City of Merritt. I continue to volunteer in a variety of organizations in the community to do my part in helping our great community.
Rosemary McNeil
Director at LargeI was born and raised in the Lower Mainland. I married at 18 and have two children—a daughter and a son. Over the years, I lived in various communities across British Columbia as my first husband advanced his career with the Department of Highways.
While living in Bridge Lake, I became a School Bus Driver, a role I continued in each community we moved to. My family relocated to Merritt from Kitwanga in the spring of 1986. I went on to drive school bus for 30 years, retiring from School District No. 58 in 2007.
I divorced in 1995 and later remarried in 1999, joining my husband Jack at the age of 50. Together, we served as contractors for the City of Merritt’s Claybanks RV Park from October 2001 until our retirement in October 2014. Between our families, we are blessed with five grandchildren and five great-grandsons.
In my personal time, I enjoy gardening, fishing, and golfing. Supporting my friends and family is very important to me, and I take pride in helping wherever I can.
I began volunteering with the Nicola Valley Food Bank in December 2014. What started as helping with Christmas hampers and gifts grew into volunteering three days a week until 2022. Following wrist surgeries, I was no longer able to assist physically, but I was pleased to continue contributing by joining the Board of Directors. I have served three terms on the HR Committee and remain happy to assist with errands and tasks throughout the week.
Bonita Eagles
Director at LargeHello, my name is Bonita Eagles, I am now going into my seventh year with the Nicola Valley Food Bank as a Director at Large, and stand proud of all our accomplishments. I grew up in Merritt and have worked in the Medical field for the past 40 years. My husband Larry Hintz, and I both raised our children here and see the benefits of living and volunteering in “small town BC”. Volunteerism is the backbone of any community in keeping it strong.
John Wekking
Director at Large(Bio pending)
Cindy Hayter
Director at Large(Bio pending)
Organization
Link to charities and giving on Government of Canada website. You will just need to scroll down to ‘Find a Charity’ and input your info from here.
NICOLA VALLEY FOOD BANK SOCIETY
- Registration no: 896657129 RR 0001
- Incorporation Number: S0040014
- Business Number: 89665 7129 BC0001
- Status: Active
- State: Normal
- Member Funded: No
Financials
For more information about the food bank:
- Annual Reports
- Financial Reports
- Board Members
- and more – please contact us at foodbank@telus.net
Financial Reports
Coming Soon…
Do you have a concern or complaint?
The Nicola Valley Food Bank is committed to providing excellent service. We recognize that from time to time there may be inquiries, concerns or complaints and we believe that our stakeholders have the right to tell us about them.
To share your feedback please contact the Food Banks Canada Customer Experience Hotline
1-877-280-0329 or complaints@foodbankscanada.ca
Ethical Foodbanking Code
https://foodbankscanada.ca/resources/ethical-food-banking-code/
The Ethical Food Banking Code
Every organization within the network upholds Food Banks Canada’s Ethical Food Banking Code, ensuring consistent and respectful service for all.
Food Banks Canada, the provincial associations, and affiliate food banks and programs will:
- Provide food and other assistance to those needing help regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, income source, age, and mental or physical ability.
- Treat all those who access services with the utmost dignity and respect.
- Implement best practices in the proper and safe storage and handling of food.
- Respect the privacy of those served and will maintain the confidentiality of personal information.
- Not sell donated food.
- Acquire and share food in a spirit of cooperation with other food banks and food programs.
- Strive to make the public aware of the existence of hunger and of the factors that contribute to it.
- Recognize that food banks are not a viable long-term response to hunger and devote part of their activities to reducing the need for food assistance.
- Represent accurately, honestly, and completely their respective mission and activities to the larger community.
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