Loaves and Fishes Warehouse Project

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Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank

The GOOD NEWS - BAD NEWS STORY

First the good news, the Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank located on Farquhar Street fed 1,179 people last week and 3,063 people last month (5,880 visits) with 7,022 people during the year (62,576 visits).

Now the bad news, the Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank had to feed 1,179 people last week, and had to feed 3,063 in one month and had to feed 7,022 last year.

The food bank started in 1998 and operated from their home on Farquhar Street where they still are today, however they now have 10 satellite locations across the city and have expanded to the point they are now helping 1 in 13 people in Nanaimo who access their services. They have launched the Food 4U Food Recovery Program whereby they are able to recover between $2,000 - $12,000 worth of food everyday that would otherwise be thrown out.

They have simply outgrown their current facility and in order to process their food must store it outside under cover while they process it inside their 500 square foot facility.

They have ambitious plans to purchase a 6,000 square foot warehouse at a cost of $550,000 allowing them to supply significantly more food to people and offering better service than in the past. The demand for their services is growing basically at the rate of growth of Nanaimo.

At the Committee of the Whole meeting on Nov. 3, Mr. Peter Sinclair of the food bank made a presentation outlining the work they are currently doing and their need of the larger facility.

In seeking city funding support Mr. Sinclair presented council with two different options, one being the city agreeing to a total capital funding of $275,000 over the years 2015 and 2016 or to commit to operating funding of $4,000/mo. on an ongoing basis.

Council has asked city staff to prepare a report showing how the city may fund Mr. Sinclairs' proposal.

To learn more about the work of the Loaves & Fishes Community Food Bank and the work they do and their Warehouse Project, click the graphic below.

 Click image to learn about the Warehouse Project