Search Results

Find a Food Bank in your community. Enter your city to find your nearst food bank. Find a Food Bank To find a member food bank in your community click on the map for the locations or check by city. No food bank in your community? Check with the nearest location to you. Sometimes our rural members have additional depots in nearby communities too.

Kick One In is a Sysco BC initiative to help fight hunger and increase food security in our local communities. Sysco's Kick One In Program Taking Action Against Hunger Sysco's priority is to fight hunger and increase food security in the local communities we serve. With Sysco’s Kick One In program, you can donate below, with the proceeds being provided directly to eliminate hunger and make nutritious food available in your local community. This is one way that we’re connecting the world to share food and care for one another. To learn more about Sysco please visit www.sysco.ca

Meet our staff and board who help food banks all over BC. Staff Dan Huang-Taylor Executive Director EMAIL Christine Ryan Director of Operations EMAIL Sherri Binks Manager, Food Programs EMAIL Nick Johnson Manager, Member Services EMAIL Marina Heidt Financial Clerk EMAIL Katie Orr Provincial Manager, National Standards EMAIL Natalia Ribeiro Administrative Coordinator EMAIL Shanille Samra Financial Controller EMAIL Board of Directors Food Banks BC is governed by a volunteer board of directors, elected by the membership annually. The board is comprised of community representatives and representatives from our food bank network: Hajira Hussain, Chairperson Alison Colwell Kim Roberts Lucille Gnanasihamany Mike Olson Treska Watson, Vice Chairperson Elaine Laberge Leventine Adams Mavis A. Erickson Scott Nicoll, Past Chair Cathy Chaplow, Treasurer Gordie Hogg Lindsay Miles-Pickup Mike Cooke Sydney Goodfellow (she/her)

We appreciate your support to help us help the Food Banks in BC. Food Donations To make a food donation, please go to the Find a Food Bank page t o connect directly with the food bank in your community. Corpora te Food Donations If you are a company or organization looking to make a larger food donation, please contact our Manager, Food Programs, Sherri Binks Top 10 Requested Items

The Full Cupboard, Island Savings community-based signature program,to raise food, funds and awareness about the critical issue of hunger in the communities. The Full Cupboard - Vancouver Island Together, We Make a Difference At Island Savings, we believe in the power of community and the impact of sustained efforts and partnerships. By supporting The Full Cupboard, you can help us build a stronger community and reduce hunger in the Vancouver Island, Pender Island and Salt Spring Island. Since its inception in 2016, The Full Cupboard has been a community-based signature cause program. Thanks to the unwavering support of our valued members, community partners, and passionate team members, we have raised $765,889 and collected 18,142 pounds of food for our 12 food bank partners as of 2024. Every donation you make directly benefits the community where it was given. Together, we can ensure that every individual and family in our communities has a full cupboard. Donate now or visit The Full Cupboard website to learn how you can contribute. Let's work together to create a flourishing community for all.

In order to be eligible for membership, your food bank must meet the following requirements: Membership Benefits include: Provincial and National voice on hunger issues in BC Networking Funding (Provincial and National) Skill Building and Training Discount Buying Programs Participation in both the National and Provincial Conference & AGM National Food Sharing System (NFSS) Product received from major manufacturers by Food Banks Canada Distributed to members from four (4) hubs strategically located throughout BC Transportation assistance may be provided to rural food banks (communities with a population of less than 10,000) Affiliate membership to Food Banks Canada In order to be eligible for membership, your food bank must meet the following requirements: Focus its main activity on the collection and distribution of food to assist those that require help in their community. Be the only food bank that serves their community, city or region (please check our Find A Food Bank map for current members). Have a current Canadian Charitable Registration Number in good standing with the CRA. Pay an annual fee to Food Banks BC that is based on the number of clients served. Participate and cooperate annually with data capture for Food Banks Canada’s Hunger Count survey and other required data collection. Cooperate with all regional, provincial or national fund or food raising campaigns as required. Agree to and follow Food Bank Code of Ethics. Agree to and follow Food Banks BC’s Members’ Standard of Care. Agree to and follow any other Food Banks BC Membership Criteria which the network may require from time to time. Have been in operation for a minimum of one year. Be a community steward of food donations to share with other member food banks and local food agencies where surplus exists. If you are interested in applying for membership and meet the criteria, please contact info@foodbanksbc.com or call 604-498-1798.

Today, hundreds of food banks and hunger relief operations are providing services to hundreds of thousands of families and individuals on a regular basis. Food Banks BC Hunger Report 2024 Hunger is a public health emergency in Canada. In British Columbia, the rates of food insecurity have almost doubled since 2019. Food banks are a last resort for many households that are struggling to make ends meet. Canadian food banking is currently facing an unprecedented surge in demand, and BC food banks are struggling to keep up with this unsustainable situation. Read the Hunger Report Hunger in British Columbia Food banks across BC are seeing unprecedented demand. Prior to the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, food banks were experiencing a gradual downward trend in client numbers. Since 2019, the number of individuals accessing food banks has risen by 32%. Furthermore, the number of visits that households made has risen dramatically with an 81% increase from 2019 to 2024. The data on food bank usage in BC shows a clear increase in the number of households facing food insecurity over the last five years. The data also reveals that those households are visiting food banks more often, indicating a deepening in the need for charitable hunger relief support. Individuals Served & Number of Visits in March 2024 This graph depicts the number of individuals served and the number of visits made at BC Food Banks during the month of March from 2019 to 2024, excluding 2020. This continued growth in demand is occuring at a time when the sector is experiencing a general drop in donations, leaving many food banks asking the question, "How long can we sustain this?" Source: Food Banks Canada 2024 HungerCount. Implications of Food Insecurity “It’s about the we, not the I. If my neighbour is well, I am well." Islands Wellness Society Food Bank Food insecurity impacts not only the individual and household experiencing this form of deprivation, but also their community, province and country. We also know that food insecurity, poverty and health are inextricably linked. Research shows that Canadians with higher incomes are often healthier than those with lower incomes. The health impacts of food insecurity go beyond physical challenges associated with poor quality diets. Food insecurity is associated with mental health issues. Poverty and food insecurity can also severely restrict a person’s ability to participate in social life and to achieve gainful employment, creating a vicious cycle of poor physical, mental and social health. There is an intertwining of loneliness, poor health and food access challenges, with intensifying health consequences in later life. Social exclusion results in a lack of social networks that ordinarily help us to mitigate poverty through sharing resources, childcare assistance, transportation, job help and material and emotional support. The Role of Food Banks Canada has a two-tiered food system: those that can afford to shop at grocery stores, and those that can’t. Those that can’t afford to shop at grocers must relinquish choice and control while they rely on charitable food programs to meet the most basic of human needs: nourishment. Modern Canadian social constructs (or perceptions) typically position food insecurity and/or poverty as an individual problem, a personal failing, rather than as a systemic issue that we are all at risk of, to some degree. Today, food banks are serving not only those entrenched in poverty, but those who have always managed to get by until now. Food programs are commonly attached to other social services, providing opportunities to connect with support workers and programs, and increase belonging in community. Charitable food programs, including food banks, are an example of BC’s dependency on the non-profit sector to deliver essential services, bridging gaps in the public support system. Not only is the demand for services growing, but non-profits are incurring significantly higher operational expenses. Meanwhile, the number of Canadians making charitable donations has declined for the 11th year running. While innovation, creativity, compassion and hard work are at the core of charitable food programs, they have their limits. By understanding what creates food insecurity and its disproportionate representation among vulnerable people, we can then explore ways to decrease its prevalence through programs and policies, addressing the public health impacts that poverty creates for us all. “We are operating with the same amount of funding as in the past, but we have had a 300% client increase in the last year.” Mayne Island Food Bank Key Drivers of Food Insecurity in British Columbia “Since Covid ended, inflation has been the main driver, increasing visits by 40%. [...] We are seeing more homeowners and people who got out of poverty that have slid back into it.” Salvation Army Food Bank, Penticton Food insecurity is a complex issue that can be tied to a number of causes and intersections. The HungerCount data reveals that people are struggling with the cost of food and housing, and that for many, employment income is not enough to meet the cost of living. The increasing rates of food insecurity in BC can be attributed to the following recent shifts: Sharp rise in inflation Rapid interest rate hikes The lack of available housing supply, particularly affordable housing The loss of income supports like the CERB and other one-time affordability measures Significant and rapid population growth without the social infrastructure ready to absorb such an influx A slowdown in economic activity and a rising unemployment rate A deep dive into the economic, social and environmental drivers of food insecurity in BC provides clues about policy and program interventions that can address this growing crisis. Policy Recommendations The provincial government has recently enacted some policies that address food insecurity, such as providing funding for school food programs, food hubs, food banks and Indigenous food sovereignty, but more action is required. Politicians need to think beyond their 4-year term and enact long-term solutions that best support our most vulnerable citizens to meet their basic needs through navigating an adequate social support system and providing opportunities to rise out of poverty. When the National Advisory Council on Poverty asked how poverty should be reduced, the top priorities for Canadians as a whole included reducing the cost of food, strengthening health care, reducing taxes on households with low incomes, and reducing the cost of utilities. Among racialized people, the priorities were similar, but they also noted a need for upskilling and training opportunities. Food Banks BC, in alignment with recommendations offered by Food Banks Canada and the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition, recommends the following areas and opportunities to address food insecurity through policy. Increase income Increase food infrastructure and support food programs Support Indigenous food sovereignty Increase equity and Inclusion “Addressing poverty requires addressing systemic inequities and revising the social norms, processes, policy decisions, and legislations that created and perpetuate the problem” Food Banks Canada Food Banks Canada’s 2024 Poverty Report Card gave British Columbia a D+ grade, with over 45% of British Columbians reporting that they feel worse off than last year. The current cost of living crisis requires both short-term relief measures to alleviate inflation-related struggles, and long-term strategies to decrease the demand for social supports by improving housing, economic opportunity and healthcare. Read the Hunger Report Collectively, we can work toward a future where food banks are a thing of the past It will require bold policy commitments from all levels of government, willing, action-orientated participation from the private sector and a resilient, well-resourced social services sector to move us toward a hunger-free British Columbia. We are grateful to everyone who plays a part in progressing food security, social justice and poverty reduction in BC. Donate Interested in learning more about the state of hunger in British Columbia? Read our full 2024 Hunger Report.

Food Banks BC and its members believe that everyone in BC has the right to physical and economic access, at all times, to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs and food preferences. As part of this commitment, Food Banks BC and its members agree to abide by the following set of ethics which also incorporates the Code of Ethics laid out by Food Banks Canada: ​ Code of Ethics The Ethical Food banking Code Food Banks BC and its members believe that everyone in BC has the right to physical and economic access, a t all tim es, to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs and food preferences. As part of this commitment, Food Banks BC and its members and associated agencies agree to abide by the following set of ethics: Provide food and other assistance to those needing help regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, income source, age, and mental or physical ability. Treat all those who access services with the utmost dignity and respect. Implement best practices in the proper and safe storage and handling of food. Respect the privacy of those served and will maintain the confidentiality of personal information. Not sell donated food. Acquire and share food in a spirit of cooperation with other food banks and food programs. Strive to make the public aware of the existence of hunger, and of the factors that contribute to it. Recognize that food banks are not a viable long-term response to hunger and devote part of their activities to reducing the need for food assistance. Represent accurately, honestly, and completely their respective mission and activities to the larger community.

Our mission is to inspire, empower and support our members in working towards a hunger-free British Columbia. Food Banks BC is the provincial association of food banks. Our membership is comprised of over 100 hunger relief agencies throughout British Columbia. We support our members and other agencies through the provision of resources that assist their efforts to tackle hunger in communities they represent. This is achieved through the distribution of food and financial donations, providing access to training and capacity building prog rams, networking opportunities, and as a representative voice to speak to the needs of food banks as well as the hundreds of thousands of British Columbians who face ongoing food insecurity. The role of Food Banks BC has significantly expanded in recent years. We are working with an increasing number of donors, government agencies, non-profits, and other stakeholders, and through this expanding network, we are broadening the scale and scope of our work, and reaching more people than ever before. Beyond our membership, we work with numerous agencies that specialize in providing food access support to equity-deserving groups, including racialized populations, refugees, Indigenous communities, seniors, and migrant workers. The work of hunger relief is critical and it’s the immediate priority we all share. Looking forward, we need to shift from hunger relief to systems change. Upstream solutions that seek to reduce and, eventually, eliminate the need for charitable food. Food Banks BC is committed to supporting the need to for urgent hunger relief services now, while taking the necessary actions to eliminate the need for these services altogether and working towards a hunger-free British Columbia. Food Banks BC is a member of Food Banks Canada . Who we are and what we do Vision + Mission Our Vision A hunger-free British Columbia Our Mission To relieve hunger today and prevent hunger tomorrow for all British Columbians Click here to view our Strategic Plan. Our Values Integrity We are honourable, inclusive, respectful, and trustworthy Dignity We see and respect the inherent value and worth of every British Columbian Accountability We are accountable to our members and transparent in our dealings with all stakeholders Collaboration We share and work with our stakeholders and each other collaboratively towards common goals Equity We advocate for and believe in equitable access to food for all British Columbians Responsiveness We adapt and respond appropriately to changing conditions with timeliness, flexibility, and innovation Spirit of Giving Award As the Provincial Association of food banks in British Columbia, we see countless acts of kindness and generosity through the work of our member agencies and those who support their cause. So much of this goes unnoticed, so we want to acknowledge the contributions of these everyday superheroes. Launched in 2022, the Food Banks BC Spirit of Giving Award is an annual award that recognizes the significant contributions of individuals and community partners who have demonstrated their commitment to supporting food banks or hunger relief in British Columbia. Community Partner Award Recipients BC Liquor Distribution Branch Susan Byrom - First West Credit Union Anne Penman - CBC Agency and Individual Award Recipients The Salvation Army Penticton Sandra Cascaden - St. Joseph's Food Bank Lillian - Kamloops Food Bank

This website was designed to conform to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA. The website was last updated on October 5th, 2023. Food Banks BC Accessibility Policy At Food Banks BC, we strive to provide support and resources in a way that respects the dignity and independence of all our community members. We commit to giving people with disabilities the same opportunity to access our supports and resources and allowing them to benefit from the same services in the same place and in a similar way as other users. At Food Banks BC, a person with a disability supported by a service dog, a guide, or a support individual will be allowed to have that support resource accompany them while accessing our services. These support persons and service dogs are granted the same access as the person they are accompanying. Under no circumstances will a person with a disability and their support resource be prevented from accessing our services and resources. When a barrier to accessing our support and resources arises, Food Banks BC takes a proactive stance. We actively seek alternative ways to ensure access, encouraging individuals to communicate their specific needs. If there's uncertainty about accessing our services and resources, please reach out to us at info@foodbanksbc.com or 604-498-1798. At Food Banks BC, we celebrate differences and honour individuals’ experiences. We are committed to providing regular education and resources on accessibility and equity, ensuring that our staff and community members are always informed and equipped to promote inclusivity. We also strive to use inclusive language in our verbal and written communication. We encourage our member food banks to: 1. Provide spaces where people are treated with dignity. 2. Celebrate differences. 3. Center accessibility needs of their employees, volunteers, and clients. Accessibility is the work we do to ensure people with disabilities can access our services equally with others. It includes ways to remove barriers to access, including physical barriers, attitudes, communication, systemic, technology, and sensory considerations. Below are some examples of accessibility practices that Food Banks BC encourages our members to implement whenever possible (bearing in mind the limitations some organizations face, such as space and landlord restrictions). Physical Accessibility Practices • Ensuring an area where a HandyDart vehicle or accessible taxi can safely drop someone off. • Ensure the entryway to the food bank is accessible to wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers. • Ensuring there is an automatic door at the entrance and washroom. • Ensuring there is designated accessible parking available. • Ensuring a rest area is available for folks with health conditions that limit their ability to stand for extended periods. • Ensuring there is an area to wait in, protected from weather and the elements. • Ensuring washrooms have grab bars. Attitude Accessibility Practices • Greeting clients as they enter the space. • Collecting client feedback. Communication Accessibility Practices • Use signage or other materials that explain how the food bank runs and what to expect. • Offering options for non-verbal communication. • Communicating changes to stakeholders. • Providing signage or information in languages other than English. Systemic Accessibility Practices • Ensuring service hours are sufficient to reduce wait times and crowding. • Communicating to stakeholders how they can request accommodation for their disability (i.e. home delivery). • Communicating the complaint process and how to report an accessibility issue. • Ensuring employees and volunteers understand and agree with The Ethical Foodbanking Code. • Ensuring food bank operators are trained in de-escalation or other methods for holding safe space. • Providing choice to clients whenever possible. • Providing cooking suggestions for items that may be unfamiliar to clients. Technology Accessibility Practices • Ensuring websites are accessible to screen readers • Ensuring website graphs and charts have text to explain them Sensory Accessibility Practices • Accommodating food restrictions • Ensuring sufficient lighting allows someone with low vision to navigate the space. • Avoiding floors and wall colour contrasting with busy patterns. This website was designed to conform to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA. The website was last updated on October 5th, 2023. If you encounter accessibility issues, we welcome your report. You can send the information to info@foodbanksbc.com .

The Full Cupboard, Envision Financial community-based signature program,to raise food, funds and awareness about the critical issue of hunger in the communities. The Full Cupboard - Fraser Valley Together, We Make a Difference At Envision Financial, we believe in the power of community and the impact of sustained efforts and partnerships. By supporting The Full Cupboard, you can help us build a stronger community and reduce hunger in the Fraser Valley, Lower Mainland, and Kitimat regions. Since its inception in 2013, The Full Cupboard has been a community-based signature cause program. Thanks to the unwavering support of our valued members, community partners, and passionate team members, we have raised $1,681,296 and collected 90,907 pounds of food for our 11 food bank partners as of 2024. Every donation you make directly benefits the community where it was given. Together, we can ensure that every individual and family in our communities has a full cupboard. Donate now or visit The Full Cupboard website to learn how you can contribute. Let's work together to create a flourishing community for all.

If you have any further questions please contact Food Banks BC directly. FAQ WHO CAN USE A FOOD BANK? Most of our members register their clients so that they can keep records of who is using their services and ensure that food is distributed equitably.  Each member is a separate charitable organization that will have unique requirements based on their own community.   Find out more about the food bank in your community. AREN’T FOOD BANKS JUST A CRUTCH? Most food banks in our province are able to supply about 3 or 4 days’ worth of food every 2 weeks for their clients.  This amount of food makes all the difference in feeding their family when the rest of their meagre budget has been used up by things like transportation, clothing and extra school costs for their children. Without this boost, many people in our communities would be hungry. IS FOOD BANKS BC A FOOD BANK? No, we represent and support the 100 food banks across our province. Did you know that close to half of these members cannot afford any paid staff; they are run completely by volunteers?   Some do not even have a computer system to keep track of clients or donations.    When you support Food Banks BC it means that we can stand in the gap for these food banks, making sure that they can be effective in their own communities helping everyone who turns to them when there is nowhere else to go. DO FOOD BANKS NEED VOLUNTEERS? Yes, volunteering is an essential part of how food banks run. Check to see if there is a food bank that might need your help or if you are interested in helping Food Banks BC, please call 604-498-1798 or email (this links to info@foodbanksbc.com email) WHAT ARE FOOD BANKS BC SHARING COUPONS? Local food banks place our BC Share coupons at check-out stands. Then every shopper has the opportunity to scan one of these to add $2.00 to their purchase.   The grocery store then keeps this money for the local food bank and they are able to use this fund to purchase the necessities for their clients.  Last year we raised close to $1 million dollars through BC Share coupons and food banks were better able to provide healthy, fresh food to their clients. WHAT DO I DO IF MY QUESTION ISN’T LISTED HERE? Ask us! You can reach us at 604-498-1798 or via email.