MLAs Malcolmson and Routley say funds for food banks in Nanaimo and North Cowichan will support people in need

LADYSMITH – MLAs Sheila Malcomson and Doug Routley say that funding distributed to local food banks and food security programs across B.C. will help support people in need in Nanaimo and North Cowichan.

“Food banks in our region are here for people during times of need, without fear or judgement,” said Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan. “This funding will support our local food banks to do this work, especially over the holiday season when they experience their highest levels of need.”

In August 2023, the Province announced $15 million in funding for Food Banks B.C. to help people in B.C. access nutritious food in their communities. This funding was then distributed by Food Banks B.C. to local organizations, including in Nanaimo and North Cowichan.

In Nanaimo and North Cowichan, the following organizations received funding:

  • Loaves and Fishes Food Bank, $120,888
  • Chemainus Harvest House Food Bank, $12,500
  • Ladysmith Resource Centre Association (LRCA), $12,500
  • People for a Healthy Community (Gabriola), $7,500

“We all want people to have the support they need to get by, and our funding will help people get nutritious food,” said Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo. “More people will get good nutritious food on more Vancouver Island tables when Loaves and Fishes expands food redistribution with our funding.”

This funding is an investment to support food banks in B.C., and was part of a larger $200 million announced in the spring for work to strengthen the food supply, increase availability of fresh food, encourage food production in remote areas, strengthen food infrastructure, and create more regional food hubs.

Funding for these local organizations helps them to have a direct impact on their communities, and be able to choose how best to serve people in need. This funding is key in communities like Nanaimo and North Cowichan where food insecurity has risen due to global inflation, and emergencies that have interrupted supply chains and food production.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023SDPR0051-001338