Community Foundation North Okanagan presenting a Wildfire Relief Fund grant to the Okanagan Indian Band (Image Credit: CFNO)

By Liam Verster

Wildfire Relief Fund

$55K in donations supporting agencies that helped Bradley Creek evacueess

Oct 29, 2026 | 4:02 PM

Groups and organizations that helped out people displaced by the Bradley Creek wildfire have been paid back somewhat for their work.

Through their Wildfire Reserve Fund, Community Foundation North Okanagan (CFNO) distributed $55,000 to local agencies that offered up support during the wildfire.

The main recipient was the Okanagan Indian Band, which received $23,000 across three grants immediate needs, for security work and to replace food lost during the evacuation, and for the What Happens Upstream youth conference to support young people affected by the fire.

School District 22 also received $10,000 for its work supporting 21 families displaced by the fire by purchasing them clothing, household necessities and groceries, as well as providing them and others with meals.

Eleven other grants of $2,000 each were handed out to agencies who came forward to help the displaced people.

Wildfire Relief Fund

$55K in donations supporting agencies that helped Bradley Creek evacueess

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Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team (ALERT) Society Canada, who evacuated and fed animals behind the fire lines, with assistance from Emergency Support Services
Canadian Mental Health Association, Vernon and District branch, who offered counselling for youn people and longer-term trauma supports
Family Resource Centre Society for the North Okanagan, who provided free counselling for anyone affected by the wildfire
Forever Home Sanctuary Society, who cared for animals displaced by the fire
Good Food Box Society of North Okanagan, who donated food boxes and other household needs, including three months-worth of boxes for OKIB elders
Nexus B.C. Community Resource Centre Society, who offered support for individuals and families impacted by the fire
North Okanagan Friendship Centre Society, who offered somewhere to go and meals for evacuees
Okanagan Humane Society, who took in displaced animals and moved them into foster homes, with assistance from Animal Auxiliary Vernon
Salvation Army Vernon Community Church, which provided free meals and food support to displaced people
Social Planning Council for the North Okanagan, who offered support to the food bank and provided immediate help for evacuated households
Vernon Immigrant Services, which offered supports, including grocery gift cards, for newcomer families

“Our donors gave quickly and generously this summer, and these grants are the first look at what that generosity has done,” CFNO’s Executive Director, Leanne Hammond, said.

“The money went to the people who were already showing up: feeding families, caring for animals, getting children back into school. We are grateful to every one of them, and to everyone who gave.”

CFNO added the Wildfire Relief Fund remained open and more grants were planned, including providing some funds for the Canadian Red Cross, United Way B.C., and other community foundations across the Southern Interior.

“Recovery takes far longer than the news coverage does,” Steve Brandner, FNO Board Chari, stated.

“Holding this Fund for the region means we can keep showing up for the North Okanagan long after the evacuation orders lift, and that is exactly what a community foundation is for.”

CFNO’s Wildfire Relief Fund was established in early-August this year and since then 471 donors had contributed $348,716 towards the cause.

by Liam Verster

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