OKIB Wildfire Recovery Update:

Food Recovery & Replacement Supports Clarification

We recognize that many members experienced significant food losses during the wildfire, including traditional foods, frozen meats and household groceries. We want to clarify the different food supports available and how they work together.

1. Food Replacement Assistance – Financial Support

This program is separate from the Food Recovery Boxes and provides financial assistance to eligible households impacted by the wildfire.

• Members who previously submitted a Food Replacement Eligibility Form do not need to resubmit unless contacted by the Recovery Team.
• Payments to eligible households are expected to begin being distributed in late November and continue into early December 2026, subject to processing times.
• Receiving a Food Recovery Box does not affect eligibility for financial food replacement assistance.

Food Replacement – Eligibility Form

2. Food Recovery Boxes – Available to All OKIB Members

The OKIB Food Security Team has coordinated Food Recovery Boxes to help support members with food needs.

• Available to all OKIB members, not only those affected by the wildfire.
• Additional boxes have been set aside for members who experienced total loss of their homes.
• These boxes are an additional support and do not replace financial food replacement assistance.

Members who cannot attend during scheduled distribution hours are encouraged to contact the Food Security Team to discuss possible arrangements.

Food Recovery Boxes

3. Food Recovery Survey – Understanding Community Needs

The Food Recovery Survey is separate from the financial assistance application. The survey helps OKIB:

• Understand food losses and impacts during and following the wildfire.
• Identify community food security needs.
• Support future grant and funding applications.
• Strengthen community emergency preparedness and future food recovery planning.

Completing the survey does not determine eligibility for financial food replacement assistance.

OKIB Member Wildfire Impact & Recovery Survey

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Questions? We’re Here to Help!

To help direct your questions to the right team, please see below:

What do you need help with?	Who to contact	Contact information
Food Replacement Payments – Eligibility, submitted forms, direct deposits and payment timelines	OKIB Recovery Team	250-540-7642 recoverymanager@okanagan.org
Food Recovery Boxes – Availability, distribution times, pickup arrangements and accessibility	OKIB Food Security Team	250-241-9790 fsi@okanagan.org
Food Recovery Survey – Purpose, completing the survey and how information will be used	OKIB Recovery Team	250-540-7642 recoverymanager@okanagan.org

Important: Food Replacement Assistance, Food Recovery Boxes and the Food Recovery Survey are three separate initiatives. Members may access the food boxes regardless of whether they applied for financial food replacement assistance.

Limləmt | Thank you for your patience as we continue supporting our community’s recovery.

More information on the Bradley Creek Recovery, click here: Bradley Creek Wildfire Recovery Team – Okanagan Indian Band

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