Food Bank Secures $750K Match for New Warehouse

Loaves and Fishes, a food bank serving 44 communities across Vancouver Island and B.C.'s south coast, is nearing the completion of its new distribution warehouse in Nanaimo. The organization announced a significant partnership with the Tom Harris Foundation, which will match donations up to $750,000 over the next 24 months. This initiative aims to raise the remaining $1.5 million needed to finish construction.

The new warehouse is poised to quadruple the amount of food Loaves and Fishes can distribute. This increased capacity is seen as vital, particularly for remote communities like Port Hardy, which face rising food costs and food insecurity. The project, which began construction in 2024, has already received support from regional, provincial, and federal governments, with land provided by the City of Nanaimo. Operations are projected to commence by the end of July.