How are my cash donations used?
Your financial donations go towards providing meals and other essentials services at Kelowna’s Gospel Mission. Costs are average and include the expense of preparing and providing meals. All donations will be used for board approved programs and projects. When any need or project goal has been met or cannot be completed, extra funds will be used in areas of greatest need. Gifts are acknowledged and an official receipt for income tax purposes will be given.
How are my clothing donations used?
Clothing donations are used in 3 ways:
- Our Clothing Bank
- Our Helping Hands Thrift Store
- With community partner agencies
What is the Clothing Bank?
Kelowna’s Gospel Mission’s Clothing Bank is a service providing high quality, essential and seasonal clothing items free of charge to those in need. Any person in need of clothing only needs to ask at the Registration Desk at the Mission, and a staff or volunteer will assist them.
What other partner ministries do you work with?
The Clothing Bank also provides clothing to clients of other local agencies by referral.
Some of the agencies we work closely with are Boys and Girls Club, NOW Canada, Canadian Mental Health and MCC.
Are some donations sold at the Helping Hands Thrift Store?
Yes. Both donated household items and some donated clothing are sold at very affordable prices at our Thrift Store. This allows those on a limited income the dignity of purchasing items they otherwise would not afford.
Any funds raised from the sale of thrift Store items goes back into the many programs and services that are provided by Kelowna’s Gospel Mission.
Anyone looking for affordable, quality items is welcome to shop at the Thrift Shop.
Can’t I just give to people on the street?
Of course you have that option. However, by donating to an agency that works with those in need it gives us the opportunity to help engage with people and help them access services that may help to improve their situation. When a person comes to KGM they are encouraged to meet with a case worker. This gives us another point of contact, and the ability to find out what other needs a person has. This helps us to assist in ending the cycle of poverty and homelessness. As we meet the physical needs – food, shelter and clothing – we also attempt to assess deeper needs in their lives.
Can I see where my money goes?
Yes, absolutely.
You can view our Annual Report online here.
We also encourage everyone to come and visit the Mission in person, 259 Leon Ave. We frequently do tours of our facilities, and would love to show you around. Please call for more information 250-763-3737
We believe that all charities must be fully accountable to the public. As a result, we: 1) follow accounting procedures established by the Better Business Bureau, Association of Gospel Rescue Missions, Canadian Council of Christian Charities and Canada Revenue Agency 2) conduct an annual independent audit and 3) publish a detailed Annual Report in which management and fund-raising expenses are identified.
Why do I get so many mailings?
Please know that we share a concern for being accountable and frugal in our mailings. Printing our letters with other Missions across North America has enabled us to keep our printing costs very low. We also enjoy the benefit of reduced postage rates for non-profit organizations.
Unlike a church we cannot pass a weekly offering basket. Therefore we do approximately 12 mailings each year. These mailings are our only source through which to obtain regular gifts from our donors in order to continue feeding and sheltering the homeless, and to provide life changing help to those in need.