COMMUNITY FOOD BANK

Today, 1 in 7 (4.9 million) people in Canada live in poverty. This includes people living with a disability or mental illness, as well as the working poor. Between 1980 and 2005, the average earnings of low-income Canadians fell by 20%, while the cost of living has continued to rise. In the last two decades, precarious employment has increased by more than 50%. (http://www.cwp-csp.ca/poverty/just-the-facts/). Homeless youth are on the rise all across the nation, with approximately 6,000 young people every night in Canada without stable living conditions. Many of these belong to the group that has experienced ‘aging out’ of government care, with no supports in place to accommodate the learning curve that comes with taking on adult responsibilities (CBC Sunday Edition, May 24, 2018). In Port Alberni, which has one of the lowest median incomes in Canada, and where 40% of children live in poverty, real estate values have been pumped up in recent years by the surge of interest on the island, adding to the already tight shortage of affordable housing. The Community Food Bank addresses the needs of all of these individuals, with a vision that no person in Port Alberni should be hungry.

To make an appointment, call (250) 723-6913 and book an appointment with the receptionist. When you come to your appointment, you will need to bring proof of address and birth dates for all the members of your household. The Food Bank is open for appointments Tuesday to Thursday, 11am to 3pm.

When you come for your appointment with the intake worker, you will need to bring with you proof of address, and identification for each member of your household. After registering, you will receive your hamper.  Appointments are on a five-week rotation.  You may find supplementary bread and produce, when available, in the lobby Monday to Friday on a first-come, first-served basis.