Christmas came early for the Food Bank on the Edge Society this year as the provincial government’s sleigh put $7,500 under the tree.
The funding is part of $15 million announced in August for Food Banks B.C. to enhance access to nutritious food in local communities and was distributed to various organizations and communities, including in Port Alberni and Ucluelet.
“When people in our community are facing food insecurity, knowing we have food banks they can reach out to is a weight off many shoulders,” said Mid Island-Pacific Rim MLA Josie Osborne through the funding’s announcement on Dec. 6. “This extra funding will help our food banks continue to offer this help for people when they need it.”
Mid Island-Pacific Rim organizations receiving funding include $12,500 for the Port Alberni Salvation Army Community Food Bank, $7,500 for Ucluelet’s Food Bank on the Edge Society, $4,500 for Denman Island Community Education Society Food Bank and $4,500 for the Hornby Island Community Kitchen and Food Bank.
“This is amazing news,” Food Bank on the Edge executive director Cris Martin told the Westerly News upon hearing the announcement. “First of all I have to wipe my eyes because of course you know this would make me cry.”
She added the funding ensures the Food Bank on the Edge can fulfil its Christmas Hamper Program demand this holiday season with any money left over going towards community fundraising to help pay for a new food bank facility in the New Year.
The food bank is expecting to dish out 115 Christmas hampers this season, the most in Martin’s 13 year tenure with the Society.
“As we’ve already seen, this is not only province wide, it’s all across the country. The cost of living, the cost of food and housing, everything has just put such a strain on our families, especially with kids when people have to make those difficult choices of where to put their money. They have to heat their homes and they have to try to put food on the table,” she said.
“I think this is a recognition by the province that it’s not just isolated pockets of people. This is everywhere and everyone is feeling it. I think especially this Christmas we’re going to hear about record breaking numbers in terms of food bank use. I really think we’ll be hearing stories of just how many extra people needed help this year.”
She added she is grateful to the provincial government as well as Food Banks B.C. and Food Banks Canada for making sure small communities aren’t left behind.
“We are so well supported. We feel that all the time. I really am so proud to be part of the network of food banks, even though we’re one of the smallest, we get treated so well and I don’t feel like we’re ever forgotten or ever left behind,” she said. “Thanks to Josie for coming onboard and being in our corner. She’s always been a supporter of us, even when she was the mayor of Tofino she’s always looked out for us so this doesn’t surprise me one bit and I’m so proud to be part of the whole network. We’re just very happy that the province is really doing what they said they were going to do. They’re not only talking the talk, they’re walking the walk.”
The funding announcement adds that $200 million was announced last spring to strengthen the food supply, increase availability of fresh food, encourage food production in remote areas, enhance infrastructure and create more regional food hubs.
“Funding for these local organizations helps them to have a direct impact on their communities, and be able to choose how best to serve people in need,” it reads. “This funding is key in communities like Port Alberni, Ucluelet, Deman, and Hornby Island, where food insecurity has risen due to global inflation, and emergencies that have interrupted supply chains and food production.”
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