Okanagan couple helps feeding California wildfire evacuees

CHICO, CALIFORNIA (NEWS 1130) — What was supposed to be a vacation has turned into a charity mission for a couple from Penticton who is now helping victims of California’s devastating wildfires.

Paul Klyne and his wife Destee have been in Chico, California, since Tuesday, Nov. 13. After learning their rental home was destroyed in Paradise, a town completely razed by the vicious fires, they’ve joined forces with the owner of the “Sexy Panda” food truck at a makeshift emergency shelter in a parking lot.

“Well, the thing now has blossomed into something that’s pretty incredible,” Klyne tells NEWS 1130.

“Whatever we can provide for these people, they’re happy to eat it. We’re feeding them pulled pork sandwiches and burgers and dogs and chilli and quesadillas and tacos or whatever comes around. The outpouring of love and support is great and it’s needed.”

Klyne addds that people have been supporting the food truck by donating money to buy more food, as well as propane tanks. He chuckles when asked about his ruined vacation, but quickly grows serious after remembering that dozens have died in Paradise, while hundreds are still missing and thousands more displaced.

 

“We decided that instead of going elsewhere, we’d continue on our journey here and instead of using the funds we had to pamper ourselves, we would forward that to the people that need it,” he says. “Fellow I met, his name is Charlie, serving him some lunch and he broke into a ball of tears and he said, ‘I couldn’t get back to get my mom. They wouldn’t let me in and she perished in the fire. Her and my dog are gone.’ ”

Klyne says they’ve been feeding up to 1,500 people every day, though it’s not the only way they are helping out. Word spread over Facebook and their friends have been donating money to them directly, which the couple uses to help people fill up gas, buy groceries or for gift certificates.

The couple was supposed to fly back to the Okanagan on Friday, but was able to extend the stay until Sunday, though Paul says the return will be bitter-sweet.

“At the end of the day, Sunday I am going home,” he says. “I am going to sleep in my bed Sunday night. I am going to have a shower, I’m going to be OK. But these people, they need some help, so if I can give a little, that’s what I can give.”

He adds, “You kind of just one on one help these people the best you can. At the end of the day, what we wanted to do was let our lovelight shine and help other people to turn theirs on.”

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