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Food insecurity and food access are complex issues. Social policy, systemic racism, climate change, geography, and colonial food systems are just a few of the contributing factors that have created this increasingly critical situation we face as a society.  Food Banks BC is grateful to the Provincial Government and donors for their support in helping Food Banks BC conduct important work to alleviate hunger, particularly among people and communities that are disproportionately impacted by poverty and hunger. Provincial Programs Food insecurity and food access are complex issues that demand coordinated, province-wide action. In British Columbia, nearly 1 in 10 households experiences some level of food insecurity, with many families facing impossible choices between rent, utilities, and groceries. Contributing factors such as systemic inequities, climate change, geography, and the lasting effects of colonial food systems make this an increasingly critical issue. In 2024/25, Food Banks BC distributed $4,976,302 across four program areas: Together, we are not only meeting immediate needs but also building more resilient, accessible food systems across the province. Click on each program below to learn more about the impact of these programs in communities throughout BC. Agency Relief Fund Learn more Emergency Food Support Learn more The Resilient North Project Learn more School Meals Program Learn more

Food Banks BC is committed to protecting the privacy of the personal information you provide to us. Any personal information that Food Banks BC retains is kept in such a manner as to ensure its security and confidentiality at all times. We are dedicated to protecting the personal information of our members, donors, staff and volunteers. We are committed to meeting or exceeding the privacy standards established by federal and provincial legislation. Privacy Policy Food Banks BC is committed to protecting the privacy of the personal information you provide to us. Any personal information that Food Banks BC retains is kept in such a manner as to ensure its security and confidentiality at all times. We are dedicated to protecting the personal information of our members, donors, staff and volunteers. We are committed to meeting or exceeding the privacy standards established by federal and provincial legislation. Our information handling practices comply with the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). Definition of Personal Information Personal information is any information that is identifiable to you as an individual. This may include, but is not limited to, your name, gender, age, date of birth, language of correspondence, mailing address, telephone number, fax number, email address, and membership in an organization. Personal information does not include publicly available information about you in your capacity as an employee of an organization such as your name, job title, work mailing address, work email address, work fax number, or work telephone number. Collection of Information Food Banks BC only collects personal information from: Donors Members Volunteers Employees Others who have shown an interest in BC Food Banks This information is collected by a variety of methods: phone, fax, mail, email, online, or in-person. Disclosure of Information Food Banks BC treats its obligations with respect to the use and disclosure of personal information very seriously. In the event that you should choose to send Food Banks BC your e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, addresses and/or any personal information so that we may communicate with you, Food Banks BC will not sell, trade or rent this information to third parties. Generally, we will only use or disclose personal information for the primary purpose that it was collected or for a purpose related to the primary purpose that you would reasonably expect it to be used. Food Banks BC may transfer information to service providers where information processing is outsourced by Food Banks BC in the course of its administrative distribution procedures. Where personal information is transferred to a service provider for processing, we require the service provider to respect this Privacy Policy and we restrict them from using or disclosing personal information transferred to them for any purpose other than the provision of services to us. In the event that you wish to opt-out of any future services or information, you may contact us and we will ensure that your information is deleted from our data-base. Unfortunately, no data transmission over the Internet can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. As a result, while we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information you transmit to us or receive from us electronically. This is especially true for information you transmit to us via e-mail. We have no way of protecting that information until it reaches us. Once we receive your transmission, we make our best efforts to ensure its security on our servers. Storage of Information Personal information is stored in our database(s) on a secure server and in hard copy files. Only authorized personnel have access to th is information. Food Banks BC uses personal information to better serve our stakeholders and to expand our community of support. Online Privacy Food Banks BC is comm itted to protecting the privacy of those who use our website. We do not request site visitors to provide any personal information in order to contact us or to be added to any newsletters. We do not collect any personal information about individuals browsing our website. Food Banks BC does not track visitors through the use of cookies and any general statistics gathered from our site traffic are used only for our own purposes. However, Food Banks BC does collect statistical information through a log file which indicates number, length, and frequency of page visits, external links redirecting users to our website, and which browser, operating system, and type of device (mobile or desktop) was used to access our website. This information is analyzed to help us develop content that responds to the interests of our website visitors. Food Banks BC’s website uses Wix analytics to track usage of our website for reporting and evaluation purposes. For further information on Wix’s privacy policy, please see https://www.wix.com/about/privacy Donors Food Banks BC will only request specific information from you in order to complete a donation transaction. Your information is added to our donor database, but this information will not be sold, traded or otherwise distributed to any other organization or companies. Any credit card information is taken in a secure environment. Food Banks BC utilizes CanadaHelps. The information you enter is handled directly by CanadaHelps. For further information on CanadaHelps’ privacy policy please see https://www.canadahelps.org/en/privacy-policy . Links to Other Websites Food Banks BC’s web site may contain links to other Web sites that are independently owned and operated by third parties. These links are provided to you as a convenience only. These other Web sites may have their own privacy policies and are not governed by this privacy policy. Food Banks BC is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of any W eb site(s) owned and operated by any such third parties. Other web sites may collect and treat information collected differently, so we encourage you to carefully read and review the privacy policy for each web site you visit. Contact Info Questions, concerns or complaints relating to Food Banks BC’s privacy policy on the treatment of personal information shou ld be e-mailed to Dan Huang-Taylor at dan@foodbanksbc.com or 302-12761 16th Avenue, Surrey BC, V4A 1N2. Food Banks BC does its best to ensure that all information is recorded accurately—if you notice any errors in our correspondence with you or if your personal information changes, please contact us at 604-498-1798 or info@foodbanksbc.com to update your file. If you do not wish to be contacted by phone, mail, or email, please contact us and we will ensure that your request is honoured. Further information on privacy and your rights in regard to your personal information may be found on the website of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. Food Banks BC Charitable Registration Number: 86133-1130-RR0001

Our mission is to relieve hunger today and prevent hunger tomorrow for all British Columbians. Food Banks BC is the provincial association of food banks. Our membership is comprised of 111 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 Housing Staff Supporters BC Liquor Distribution Branch Susan Byrom - First West Credit Union Anne Penman - CBC Agency and Individual Award Recipients Lake Country Food Bank Anne Irving - Vanderhoof Food Bank The Salvation Army Penticton Sandra Cascaden - St. Joseph's Food Bank Lillian - Kamloops Food Bank

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 Lindsay Miles-Pickup Mike Cooke Sydney Goodfellow (she/her) Treska Watson, Vice Chairperson Elaine Laberge Lucille Gnanasihamany Mike Olson Cathy Chaplow, Treasurer Kim Roberts Mavis A. Erickson Scott Nicoll, Past Chair

Our supporting partner campaigns exemplify the transformative power of collaboration, showcasing how collective efforts can make a profound and positive impact on the communities served. We invite you to explore our partner campaigns and join us in making a difference, one partnership at a time. Together, we can build a brighter future for all. Partner Campaigns Our supporting partner campaigns exemplify the transformative power of collaboration, showcasing how collective efforts can make a profound and positive impact on the communities served. We invite you to explore our partner campaigns and join us in making a difference, one partnership at a time. Together, we can build a brighter future for all. The Full Cupboard Vancouver Island The Full Cupboard is a community-based signature cause program established by Island Savings in 2016. Donate Now The Full Cupboard Fraser Valley The Full Cupboard is a community-based signature cause program established by Envision Financial in 2013. Donate Now Feed the Valley Feed the Valley is a community-based signature cause program established by Valley First in March 2010. Donate Now Basics for Babies® Basics for Babies® was created in 1994 when JR Country recognized a chronic shortage of baby products at Lower Mainland Food Banks. Donate Now

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.

Food Banks BC is grateful to the Provincial Government and donors for their support in helping Food Banks BC conduct important work to alleviate hunger, particularly among people and communities that are disproportionately impacted by poverty and hunger. < Back Emergency Food Support Food banks play a crucial role during times of emergency and natural disaster . This happens through the provision of food, water and other urgently needed supplies to evacuees, people impacted within the community, aid services and non-profits, and frontline emergency service personnel. For many years, Food Banks BC has played an active role in supporting communities impacted by major weather events. In 2024/25 we provided $1,212,792 to assist with the purchase of food and equipment that assisted with response and recovery efforts. This included the provision of 416,925 pounds to support communities still impacted by the fire that destroyed the village of Lytton in July 2021. Previous Next

Important information on our available programs and resources. Food Bank Resources Welcome to our library of resources dedicated to promoting hunger relief in a safe, dignified manner while ensuring the utmost safety for your organization. In a world where food insecurity remains a pressing concern, it is essential to equip individuals, communities, and organizations with the knowledge and tools needed to address this issue effectively. This collection of resources serves as a valuable guide, offering insights, strategies, and best practices that empower you to make a meaningful impact on hunger relief efforts, all while prioritizing the safety and dignity of those you aim to assist. Whether you are an individual volunteer, a community organization, or a larger nonprofit entity, we hope these resources will help serve as a trusted source of information in tackling hunger in your community. Food and Workplace Safety Learn more Food Bank Operations Learn more Perishable Food Recovery Learn more Emergency Preparedness Learn more Accessibility and Equity Guide Learn more

Perishable Food Recovery information available for your to download. Perishable Food Recovery Perishable Food Recovery Guide Download

Food Banks BC is grateful to the Provincial Government and donors for their support in helping Food Banks BC conduct important work to alleviate hunger, particularly among people and communities that are disproportionately impacted by poverty and hunger. < Back Agency Relief Fund In partnership with the Province of British Columbia’s Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, Food Banks BC administers funding support to agencies providing hunger relief services in BC communities. The Agency Relief Fund (ARF) assists with hunger relief operations and provided $2,347,619 to agencies in 2024/25. This is the equivalent of almost 5 million meals to support British Columbians in need. The ARF was distributed to 110 member agencies and 24 non-member agencies throughout the province. Previous Next

Food Banks BC is grateful to the Provincial Government and donors for their support in helping Food Banks BC conduct important work to alleviate hunger, particularly among people and communities that are disproportionately impacted by poverty and hunger. < Back School Meals Program Since 2023, Food Banks BC has prioritized programming that supports greater access to healthy food in BC's schools. These pilot programs have been delivered in partnership with BC Agriculture in the Classroom (BCAITC) and the Flourish School Food Society. Since 2023, FBBC has invested $1,738,048 in school food, with $621,345 contributed in 2024/25. These funds have had a tremendous impact. BCAITC: With support from BCAITC, the program has provided 2.4 million healthy produce or dairy snacks, reaching 19,200 children, across 42 schools within six districts in BC , to date. The expansion of this pilot has the potential to reach 75+ schools and 25,000+ more students—expanding healthy, local food access and economic opportunity across BC Flourish School Food Society: Partnering with Flourish, the funds have expanded the school meals program to 1,100 servings daily to 22 schools in Victoria and Sooke, resulting in an additional 50,000 meals schools since the partnership began. Additionally, the support from Food Banks BC has enabled the launch of Flourish’s grocery program, resulting in 104,000 snack servings through various meal programs, as well as weekly grocery distributions to 30 schools . This program has the potential to sustainably provide at least 210,000 meals and 500,000 diverse and nutritious snack servings to schools each academic year. Previous Next

Basics for Babies is JR Country’s partnership with the Lower Mainland Food Bank’s to assist them in providing for the tiniest in need.  Basics for Babies® Donate Now Basics for Babies® was created in 1994 when JR Country recognized a chronic shortage of baby products at Lower Mainland Food Banks. With the help of our partners , Basics for Babies® has raised over $2 million and hundreds of thousands of pounds of diapers, baby food, formula, pabulum, and other items! Helping Basics for Babies® has become a large part of JR Country listeners lives as we all make our communities stronger. Unfortunately, the need for baby necessities is greater than ever. With the current economic situation, more and more Food Bank recipients in the Lower Mainland are children. Basics for Babies® needs to continue to meet the challenge to supply Food Banks with necessary supplies to help this ever-growing population. We feel children should have the best possible start to life so that we can minimize other problems later. JR Country has partnered with Food Banks BC to ensure that all babies in the Lower Mainland get the nutrition they need. The most unique and, we think, impressive thing about Basics for Babies is not that the charity feeds and diapers babies in need (although there are no other programs like it in BC).  The most unique and impressive thing about Basics for Babies is that all administrative and operational costs are covered by JR Country and Pattison Media.  More than 99% of the donations, cash and product, go to the babies, because, after all, it’s for the babies! From the bottom of our hearts, Thank you for your donation.