By Ian Holmes

‘It’s amazing:’ community rallies behind Nanaimo food bank donation bins

Apr 24, 2018 | 5:12 PM

NANAIMO — Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank officials are astounded by how much money their bottle deposit bins are generating. 

Executive director Peter Sinclair said their Empties 4 Food bins have raised nearly $20,000 so far this year and about $40,000 since the program launched one year ago.

“It’s making a major difference for our operations,” Sinclair told NanaimoNewsNOW. “As we look to expand and recover more food we need more money to make that happen and this Empties 4 Food program is a big driver in that.”

Sinclair said 100 per cent of the proceeds of donated materials goes directly to their food bank. He said the 20 Empties 4 Food bins are critical for their organization to diversify revenue streams since it costs $45,000 a month to fund their operations. Sinclair said the company Regional Recycling made the popular program happen by donating the $2,000 a piece bins.

Sinclair said public response to their Empties 4 Food bins has been incredible to see.

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“People love it because it’s convenient, it’s in their neighbourhood, it’s quick, it’s easy and people feel great it puts food on the tables of people who need it.”

Sinclair said Empties 4 Food was a natural progression for Loaves and Fishes, since they’re well versed in collecting and sorting food and are now also sifting through bottles and cans.

He said their green deposit bins have Nanaimo well covered, but added they want to expand.

“We are looking to a get a bin in the Chase River area to serve that community and then to also get a bin into the Lantzville area to make sure that area is served too. We just want people to be aware of them and use them.”

Sinclair said any item that yields a deposit is acceptable for their Empties 4 Food bins, including pop cans, water bottles and even some glass containers.

He said upwards of 3,500 people rely on the local food bank monthly.

Loaves and Fishes Community Foodbank also provides food to 80 non-profit organizations and schools.

Emtpies 4 Food locations

• Nanaimo and Area Landfill: 1105 Cedar Rd
• Real Canadian Superstore: 6435 Metral Dr
• Triple T Party Rentals: 3251 Shenton Rd
• 7-Eleven: 477 Terminal Ave N. (Located around the back near the dumpsters)
• 7-Eleven: 6201 Blueback Rd
• 7-Eleven: 2875 Departure Bay Rd
• Delicado’s Restaurant (Downtown): 358 Wesley St
• VIU North AND South Student Residences: 4 University Cres
• Loaves and Fishes Warehouse: 210 Fry St
• Brechin United Church: 1998 Estevan Rd
• Neighbourhood Church: 4951 Rutherford Rd
• Maranatha Foursquare Gospel Church: 6553 Portsmouth Rd (Located in the back parking lot)
• Christ Community Church: 2221 Bowen Rd
• Oceanside Church: 2304 Jingle Pot Rd
• Saint Philips Anglican Church: 1797 Cedar Rd
• Alliance Church: 1609 Meredith Rd
• Hammond Bay Baptist Church: 4960 Hammond Bay Rd
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: 2424 Glen Eagle Cres

ian@NanaimoNewsNow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes