United Way Campaign

The Kamloops-Thompson School District is committed to the District Strategic Plan values of Equity, Connections and Relationships, Well-being, and Sustainability. We are proud to support the United Way who shares our commitment to these values by supporting programs that bring people together to inspire local action and build stronger, more resilient communities across our District.

The United Way BC’s commitment to local giving creates local results. In 2023, United Way BC invested over $5 million dollars to support people in need in the Thompson Nicola Cariboo Region.

There are several United Way BC initiatives that support kids and youth within the Kamloops-Thompson region and School District No. 73 communities.

The Schools Out Program provides free or low barrier after-school care for vulnerable kids ages 5–12 between the critical hours of 3–6 pm. This program located in Kamloops and Ashcroft focuses on supporting kids with homework help, life skills, basic needs like food and nutrition, and social and emotional support. Watch the School’s Out Kamloops story here.

The Youth Futures Education Fund (YFEF) helps create equal educational opportunities for  youth and adults who have been in government care by providing low-barrier access to funds for basic living expenses like food, rent, technology, child care, and more. This program, available for any student coming out of government care across British Columbia (who are also using the BC Tuition Waiver Program to access free tuition), supports TRU in Kamloops/Williams Lake and Nicola Valley Institute of Technology in Merritt.

The United Way’s Regional Community Food Hub coordinates efforts between local nonprofits serving marginalized and underserved groups, school districts, faith-based organizations, food suppliers, and food recovery groups who deliver rescued food to local hubs. Programming includes food hampers, meal distribution, community gardens, food literacy, and skill building, and funding for staff and infrastructure. Read more about the Clearwater Regional Community Food Hub here.

The Community Services Recovery Fund is a $400 million investment from the Government of Canada to support charities and nonprofits as they build resilience by making investments in their people, organizations, and program innovation. Some of the the local charities and nonprofit organizations that receive funding through the Community Services Recovery Fund include: 2 Rivers Remix Society, Barriere Recreation Society, Cariboo Child Care Society, Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations, Kamloops Film Society, Kamloops Sexual Assault Counselling Centre Society, Kamloops-Cariboo Regional Immigrants Society, Lii Michif Otipemisiwak Family and Community Services, and the Kamloops and District Society for People in Motion, to name a few. 

The BC Wildfire Recovery Fund provides immediate and long-term support to communities most affected by BC Wildfires. This fund goes towards addressing important needs like food assistance, trauma, and mental health support.

The Critical Food Infrastructure Grant (CFIG) aims to increase access to traditional and culturally preferable foods by supporting initiatives prioritizing Indigenous food sovereignty and regional self-determination. This grant aims to improve year-round access to nourishing and culturally preferable foods by supporting initiatives that overcome barriers limiting food access, such as high food costs, logistical challenges, and lack of infrastructure like refrigeration, food storage, and cooking facilities. The local recipients of this grant received a combined total of $212,853.69 that was allocated to the following:

• Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations: The K’wse’ltkten Kitchen Infrastructure Upgrade Project seeks to enhance a mobile kitchen that supports Indigenous food security and sovereignty across the Secwépemc, Syilx, Nlaka'pamux, and St'át'imc nations. By improving this mobile facility, the project will bolster economic opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs, support sustainable agriculture, and enhance access to traditional foods in both urban and remote communities.
• Mount Paul Community Food Centre (Interior Community Services) will receive funding to enhance its food access kitchen, food skills kitchen, and learning garden. This funding will enable vital improvements such as kitchen redesign, equipment purchases, and garden upgrades to ensure the center's functionality, capacity, and sustainability, ultimately improving access to healthy food for the community and advancing a more inclusive food system.
• Yellowhead Community Services Society: The Dutch Lake Community Centre kitchen project aims to enhance food access and literacy by installing new induction stoves, a commercial cooler, stainless steel workstation, shelving, and a portable cooling unit. Meanwhile, the community garden project at 612 Park Drive focuses on improving food sovereignty by purchasing garden soil, installing irrigation systems, and fostering local food production. Additionally, the Gleaning Program in Barriere will be supported with safety ladders and fruit-picking baskets, furthering food recovery efforts. These initiatives will collectively empower families and individuals accessing YCS Food Security Programming, expanding the organization's capacity to serve the community.

Every dollar donated to the United Way BC directly impacts your local community, through the programs listed above and many more. Learn more at uwbc.ca.

Explore more local stories from United Way BC below to learn more about the impact UWBC is making in your communities.