Helping local organizations meet rising demand this December

The numbers tell a difficult story.

As reported in Food Banks Canada’s Hunger Count 2025, the 131 B.C. non-profits that submitted data recorded 223,340 monthly food bank visits this year, including more than 68,000 visits to help children access food.

Across the Columbia Basin, demand continues to rise, with food banks and community food programs seeing more people with complex needs, including working families and seniors, turning to them for support.

To help during this particularly busy season, the Trust is providing $5,000 to each of 40 food banks, First Nation communities and Métis associations across the region.

These funds will support the purchase of food and essential items for community meals, hampers and other holiday efforts.

This support follows recent Trust investments that help food banks upgrade equipment and improve their ability to serve residents year-round.

“Food banks and food programs are on the front lines of meeting residents’ essential needs,” said Johnny Strilaeff, President and CEO, Columbia Basin Trust. “When it comes to the well-being of our communities, food bank staff and volunteers are doing the fundamental work of making sure people have enough food to eat at a time when more people than ever are relying on their services.”

Food Access in the Elk Valley

Like Creston’s Gleaners, The Salvation Army Fernie Food Bank provides both food bank and food share supports. An average of 50 households per week access the food bank, serving Fernie, Hosmer, Elko and Grasmere. Their Food Share program now supports more than 600 people per week—a number that has doubled since spring.

“A lot of people are working two jobs to try to get by and are asking themselves, do I pay rent or do I eat?” says Major Jennifer Robins, Corps Officer. “Some of the people we help are unhoused; they simply cannot afford housing. We are committed to not letting anyone go hungry.”

Serving the Creston Valley and Beyond

The Creston Valley Gleaners Food Bank operates twice weekly, providing for 400 to 500 households and serving an area that includes Creston, Crawford Bay, Yahk and Kingsgate. Gleaners also runs a Food Share program, distributing donations from local bakeries, grocery stores and food producers to schools, daycares and seniors programs.

“We are seeing more working people and families coming to us—reaching up to 1,800 people each month,” says Bobbie-Jo Fay, Food Services & Operations Director. “The cost of living keeps going up and sometimes there is not much left at the end of the month for groceries. We see so much need for our services right now.”

Supporting the Slocan Valley

The WE Graham Community Services Society’s Food Cupboard Program supports households throughout the Slocan Valley—from Crescent Valley to Enterprise Creek near New Denver. With more than 70 households accessing the program every two weeks, the Food Cupboard has recorded 1,300 visits since January.

“We are dealing with a growing demand for support along with increasing food costs year over year,” said Darrian Kolar, Manager. “More people have moved to our area and some residents’ lives have not bounced back from COVID.”

“The Trust’s $5,000 donation comes at a crucial time for our Slocan Valley Food Cupboard and Holiday Hamper program,” says Chantal Smith, Executive Director. “With rising food costs and an increase in families needing support, this contribution allows us to keep our shelves stocked and provide meaningful holiday hampers to households across the valley. We’re incredibly grateful for this support and the positive impact it will have in our community this December.”

Strengthening Community Connections

Even with the challenges and demands they face, food bank staff and volunteers describe their work as deeply meaningful. They emphasize that beyond providing food, they help foster connection, dignity and belonging.

“My biggest joy working here is the people—the volunteers, staff and the people that we serve,” said Bobbie-Jo. “Our community is amazing and is the reason we’re able to do what we do at the Gleaners.”

“Every Monday we partner with Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy to provide lunch, and our monthly community meals create time for connection,” said Jennifer. “Many people here in Fernie are new to the community, so we try to make them feel welcomed, included and cared for.”

“I like that I am helping people in a meaningful way and building those connections,” said Darrian. “Every donation and every volunteer hour helps our community, and we truly rely on it.”

Food programs across the Basin are doing vital work to support residents during a time of rising need. The Trust is grateful to work alongside these organizations—through seasonal assistance and ongoing investments—to help ensure communities have access to safe, healthy food throughout the year.

Lead image: The Trust is supporting 40 Basin food banks and food programs, including The Salvation Army Fernie Food Bank, with a donation of $5000 to support food access and seasonal hampers. Columbia Basin Trust photos

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