Food Bank

Rainbow Kitchen executive director Patrick Johnstone stands by bare shelves at the meal providing kitchen in Esquimalt on Nov. 3. (Jake Romphf/ News Staff)

$25K donation helps stock the shelves at Esquimalt’s Rainbow Kitchen

Soaring food prices take a bite out of charity’s efforts to provide 180,000 meals a year

Rainbow Kitchen executive director Patrick Johnstone stands by bare shelves at the meal providing kitchen in Esquimalt on Nov. 3. (Jake Romphf/ News Staff)
Boxes wait to be filled with provisions at The Daily Bread Food Bank warehouse in Toronto on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Food bank usage across Canada hit all-time high, nearly 1.5M visits in March: report

Numbers 35 per cent higher than visits in March 2019, before the pandemic hit

Boxes wait to be filled with provisions at The Daily Bread Food Bank warehouse in Toronto on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
The Sooke and Goldstream food banks feel the pinch of increased demand and fewer donations. (File-MetroCreative)

As the economy sways, Greater Victoria’s food banks are feeling the pinch

Demand is up and donations are down, say officials

The Sooke and Goldstream food banks feel the pinch of increased demand and fewer donations. (File-MetroCreative)
A Thanksgiving turkey dinner is shown in Toronto on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

VIDEO: Thanksgiving dinner will come with a hefty price tag this year

Homemade turkey dinner now more than $200 for a family of four

A Thanksgiving turkey dinner is shown in Toronto on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Kashish Hukku Jani is seen in Vancouver, on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022. Jani, 22, a fourth-year communication design student at Emily Carr University, said skyrocketing living costs make it hard to focus on her studies. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Inflation hits international students hard, with some turning to food banks

One Vancouver food bank said three-quarters of the students it aids were from overseas

Kashish Hukku Jani is seen in Vancouver, on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022. Jani, 22, a fourth-year communication design student at Emily Carr University, said skyrocketing living costs make it hard to focus on her studies. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
A national school food program is needed, B.C. advocates are urging. (Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)

Urgent need for a national school food program in classrooms: B.C. group

The Coalition for Healthy School Food wants the federal government to create a national program.

A national school food program is needed, B.C. advocates are urging. (Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)
SERVING UP Breakfast Spencer Barkley of the North Saanich Fire Department works with colleagues Chuck Hanan and Kurt Barner to unload 300 boxes of cereal and other in-demand breakfast items purchased with a $5,000 donation by CFAX Santas Anonymous Society to the Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank. See story on page A8. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

$5,000 donation serves up breakfast for Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank

Santas Anonymous Society donation goes a long way, firefighters deliver the goods

SERVING UP Breakfast Spencer Barkley of the North Saanich Fire Department works with colleagues Chuck Hanan and Kurt Barner to unload 300 boxes of cereal and other in-demand breakfast items purchased with a $5,000 donation by CFAX Santas Anonymous Society to the Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank. See story on page A8. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
David Reynolds is the executive director of the Comox Valley Food Bank. File photo

Client demand up at Comox Valley Food Bank

Most food banks in Canada are stretched to the limit as demand…

David Reynolds is the executive director of the Comox Valley Food Bank. File photo
Chilliwack was one of a number of communities plunged underwater by the November 2021 floods. B.C. is investing $2.85 million in food security funding to help build better emergency response systems and resiliency. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

B.C. announces $2.85-million food security fund ahead of wildfire, flood season

Fund includes pilot test for app that allows communities to request food as needed

Chilliwack was one of a number of communities plunged underwater by the November 2021 floods. B.C. is investing $2.85 million in food security funding to help build better emergency response systems and resiliency. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Victoria Community Fridge volunteers Irvin Naidu, Nicola Watts, Becky Block, Jewel Bohach, and Wren Shaman stand in front of the fridge Saturday afternoon during a celebration marking one year of the fridge in the community. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Block party celebrates ‘first birthday’ of Victoria Community Fridge

The fridge offers barrier-free access to free food for those experiencing food insecurity

Victoria Community Fridge volunteers Irvin Naidu, Nicola Watts, Becky Block, Jewel Bohach, and Wren Shaman stand in front of the fridge Saturday afternoon during a celebration marking one year of the fridge in the community. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Food bank demand is up in Greater Victoria, spurred largely by inflation and high gas prices. Pictured is the Goldstream Food Bank warehouse in November 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)

Rise in food bank demand fueled by inflation, high gas prices in Greater Victoria

Local food banks had 3 to 4 times the new patrons in March than the typical month

Food bank demand is up in Greater Victoria, spurred largely by inflation and high gas prices. Pictured is the Goldstream Food Bank warehouse in November 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)
Lakewood elementary students Keely Paty and Sophia Lynch stack a box onto a cart. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Caring students in Langford organize food drive for spring break

Lakewood Elementary gathers up thousands of items to donate to Goldstream Food Bank

Lakewood elementary students Keely Paty and Sophia Lynch stack a box onto a cart. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
The Goldstream Food Bank received a large donation of feminine hygiene products and more than $6,500 in cash on Tuesday (March 8) thanks to a spur of the moment initiative by City of Langford staff and local businesspeople. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Goldstream Food Bank thrilled by spontaneous donation from Langford staff, others

More than $6,500 and much-needed feminine hygiene supplies donated on International Women’s Day

The Goldstream Food Bank received a large donation of feminine hygiene products and more than $6,500 in cash on Tuesday (March 8) thanks to a spur of the moment initiative by City of Langford staff and local businesspeople. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Oaklands Community Association pantry founder Karin Zylstra and daughter Yisa pause amidst the pantry offerings. The pay-what-you-can program has been growing in recent months as people learn more about its fresh offerings and welcoming environment. (Photo by Sandy Yong/courtesy OCA)

Pantry program growing goodness in Victoria’s Oaklands neighbourhood

Clients appreciate friendly nature of food program, learning about local producers

Oaklands Community Association pantry founder Karin Zylstra and daughter Yisa pause amidst the pantry offerings. The pay-what-you-can program has been growing in recent months as people learn more about its fresh offerings and welcoming environment. (Photo by Sandy Yong/courtesy OCA)
Brandon Caben with the Victoria Breakers Baseball Club helps load groceries into a trolley recently at the Goldstream Food Bank. The new club aims to help make youth better baseball players and citizens through community service. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

New Victoria baseball club lends helping hand at Goldstream Food Bank

Victoria Breakers aims to develop youth into better players and citizens

Brandon Caben with the Victoria Breakers Baseball Club helps load groceries into a trolley recently at the Goldstream Food Bank. The new club aims to help make youth better baseball players and citizens through community service. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Santa Claus makes his way through Langford along side his friends at Langford Fire Rescue Christmas Eve. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Thousands raised for Goldstream Food Bank thanks to Santa and West Shore fire departments

The annual Santa runs were a success once again this year despite the pandemic and some poor weather

Santa Claus makes his way through Langford along side his friends at Langford Fire Rescue Christmas Eve. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Deputy fire chief Mike Harman of the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department helps unload a trailer of food collected during the Sidney portion of the Peninsula Firefighters Christmas Food Drive on Dec. 11. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Firefighters food drive breaks records thanks to Saanich Peninsula donors

Christmas charity event returns with a bang after being cancelled in 2020

Deputy fire chief Mike Harman of the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department helps unload a trailer of food collected during the Sidney portion of the Peninsula Firefighters Christmas Food Drive on Dec. 11. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Rainbow Kitchen volunteer Bonnie prepares Dec. 8's meals. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Esquimalt food bank straining under unprecedented, pandemic-fueled ‘tidal wave’

Victoria’s Rainbow Kitchen is seeing new clients every day, including those who used to donate

Rainbow Kitchen volunteer Bonnie prepares Dec. 8's meals. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
Real estate agent Darren Day has held three food bank fundraisers for the Goldstream Food Bank, including the latest earlier this month outside Quality Foods in Langford. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Realtor knows Langford community will support the Goldstream Food Bank

Darren Day hosts third food back fundraiser collecting food and cash for the cause

Real estate agent Darren Day has held three food bank fundraisers for the Goldstream Food Bank, including the latest earlier this month outside Quality Foods in Langford. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Santa Claus and firefighters with the Colwood Fire Department travel through the community during a previous Santa Go Round. Santa is set to return to the West Shore this year, starting in View Royal on Dec. 11. (Black Press Media file photo)

Santa Go Round returns to the West Shore this month

Santa joins View Royal firefighters Saturday (Dec. 11) spreading cheer, collecting food donations

Santa Claus and firefighters with the Colwood Fire Department travel through the community during a previous Santa Go Round. Santa is set to return to the West Shore this year, starting in View Royal on Dec. 11. (Black Press Media file photo)