Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank in Nanaimo is raising cash and awareness during its annual Food 4 Summer campaign. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

important cause

Nanaimo based food bank hopes for cash injection to fuel increased need

Jul 2, 2022 | 5:15 AM

NANAIMO — Food banks typically see increased clients and attention around the winter holidays, however the need during the summer is also brisk, especially now.

Nanaimo Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank is raising funds through July 9 for its annual Food 4 Summer campaign, aimed at igniting more donations during the slower summer season.

Abby Sauchuk, director of development for Loaves and Fishes in Nanaimo, said monetary donations made online make a big difference where they convert $1.00 into more than $5.00 worth of food.

“That’s a huge turnaround on the investment, we make sure that we get the food in and out as efficiently and consistently as possible and money is a huge help with being able to do that.”

A private sector pledge of up to $10,000 is being matched by other financial donations made to Loaves and Fishes during the annual campaign.

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Sauchuk noted usage of their food bank locally has risen 30 per cent over last year’s pace, however she noted the amount of food they hand out is still below pre-pandemic levels.

She said their organization now serves more than 30 Vancouver Island communities, representing more than 100 agencies, which includes other food banks and Indigenous communities.

“In 2021 we gave them over $2.2 million dollars worth of food free of charge for the programming in their communities,” Sauchuk told NanaimoNewsNOW.

An easy way to donate to Loaves and Fishes is online, while donations can also be made Monday to Friday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at their Fry St. depot or in bins located at most Nanaimo grocery stores.

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