Central Okanagan Food Bank is a 4-star charity that is not financially transparent. It has an average results reporting grade of B and Good demonstrated impact. For every dollar donated, 95 cents are available to go towards the cause. Its reserve funds can cover just over four years and eight months of annual program costs.

In 2015, Westside Community Food Bank and Kelowna Community Food Bank joined together to form Central Okanagan Food Bank (COFB). Central Okanagan Food Bank is a charity located in British Columbia that works to create a health and hunger-free community by providing nutritious food to those in need. In fiscal 2024 (year ended June), COFB spent $17.4m on its programs (including $15.6m in donated food). The charity’s programs are Food Distribution and Recovery, and Emergency Response. COFB did not provide a spending breakdown, but Charity Intelligence determined that most of the spending went towards the Food Distribution and Recovery program.

Food Distribution and Recovery: This program includes a variety of nutrition programs including Tiny Bundles program, Kids Snack Pack program, Vitality program, Food Rescue program, and more. In F2024, COFB reports having 124,861 visits and distributing 3,293,773 lb of food. In F2024, COFB provided 2,500 snack packs to children in need per month, and reports distributing 195,052 school meals across 42 schools. The charity’s Food Rescue program redirects surplus perishable food from the landfill. In F2024, the Food Rescue program rescued 2,242,387 pounds of food.

Emergency Response: The charity reports that each year it prepares 650 emergency hampers. Since 2020, Central Okanagan Food Bank has responded to five major crises including Covid-19, the 2021 atmospheric river, and multiple forest fires in the British Columbia region. During the 2023 McDougall Creek Wildfire, COFB served 48,000 evacuees and helped seven affected communities.

Central Okanagan Food Bank is not financially transparent. Ci received these statements by reaching out to the CRA. This is not a best practice.

In F2024, COFB received $6.6m in donations and special events revenue, up 29% from $5.1m received in F2023. In F2024, the charity received $14.0m in donated food, representing 66% of total revenues. Administrative costs are 1% of total revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 3% of total donations. For every dollar donated, 95 cents are available to go towards the cause. While this is just outside Ci’s reasonable range, many food banks have very low overhead ratios.  

In F2024, COFB had $8.6m in its reserve funds. This can cover just over four years and eight months of annual program costs.

This profile has been sent to Central Okanagan Food Bank for review. Changes may be forthcoming.

Profile updated on August 14, 2025 by Abby Stout.