Staff were busy sorting produce at the Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank's Fry St. warehouse on Friday, Dec. 11. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Christmas hampers

Food donations matching strong holiday demand for Loaves and Fishes in Nanaimo

Dec 11, 2020 | 1:00 PM

NANAIMO — Community generosity and increasing food donations to Nanaimo’s food bank is keeping pace with heavy holiday demand.

Peter Sinclair, executive director of the Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank, told NanaimoNewsNOW nearly 2,900 people had signed up so far to receive a Christmas hamper, which aligns with last year’s usage.

“We’re super appreciative that the community is rallying behind us because it’s going to mean that the Christmas hampers going out this year are going to be the most abundant that we’ve distributed.”

The 2,900 people will fill the hampers with food, which is then collected by Loaves and Fishes and distributed to those who register to receive one.

Sinclair said their typical holiday hamper for a family of four involves around $250 to $300.00 worth of a variety of groceries, along with a gift card to a local grocery store.

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Pre-registration for a Loaves and Fishes holiday hamper ends Saturday, Dec. 12, while people can also receive one in-person on Dec. 23 at their Farquar St. location.

Hampers will be distributed to those who pre-register between Dec. 14 and Dec. 23.

Local and out-of-town partners have allowed Loaves and Fishes to “have access to more food than ever before,” Sinclair said, including plenty of frozen and canned meats, milk, eggs and produce.

Sinclair said they regularly hear from appreciative clients who rely heavily on Loaves and Fishes throughout the year and especially during the holidays.

“It’s meaning their kids have food to eat and they’re able to sleep better at night,” Sinclair said. “It really is a critical service and it is making a very direct impact in the lives of some of our more vulnerable community members.”

Sinclair they have volunteer opportunities available for people hoping to make a difference in assembling Christmas hampers.

Donations to Loaves and Fishes can be made in person, over the phone and on its website, where people can also signup to volunteer.

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