Letter to the editor

January and February 2024 saw a sharp increase in food bank use in the Columbia Valley. Coupled with rising costs of living, more residents of the valley are turning to emergency food relief to put food on the table. 

The Columbia Valley Food Bank (CVFB) saw a 67 per cent increase in hampers distributed in January alone and a 48 per cent increase in February. During 2023 we supported more than 3000 individual food bank visits of which 1000 of those recipients were children.

We humbly acknowledge the diligent efforts of our volunteers for their consistent, weekly contributions of 90-hours plus of collective volunteer time. The enthusiastic consistency of volunteers ensure we are stocked up and ready to serve an anticipated 50 per cent increase (or more) of households in need during 2024.

Our food costs for January alone nearly doubled from the previous month, capping at $10,565. With costs of living continuing to increase, the Columbia Valley Food Bank is anticipating an annual food budget of upwards of $125,000 this year. 

In addition to meeting the increased demand of emergency food relief, Food Banks Canada, Food Banks BC, and member food banks continue to advocate and develop strategies for long-term policy solutions to food insecurity in Canada. 

We are so thankful for our generous community that helps us ensure no valley resident goes hungry. We encourage your continued support and invite you to join us for a community barbecue at Home Hardware on April 12 and 13 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., hosted by Invermere Rotary. All proceeds will support the Columbia Valley Food Bank. And while you are there, you can check out the Invermere Home Hardware Home Improvement Expo, which runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 12, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 13.

For other ways to contribute, visit www.cvfoodbank.ca/donate-to-the-columbia-valley-food-bank/. Your continued donations help us achieve our vision of relieving hunger in the Columbia Valley.

Katrina Chapman, 

executive director

Columbia Valley Food Bank