The cramped confines of Nanaimo Loaves and Fishes Fry St. location will soon be a thing of the past, but construction of their new facility could come at the cost of programs and services if promised federal funding doesn't materialize soon. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

deposit day

‘Severe financial strain on us:’ D-Day approaching for federal funding of Nanaimo food bank

Nov 7, 2025 | 5:30 AM

NANAIMO — If promised funding from the federal government fails to materialize by month’s end, some difficult decisions will be forced upon a vital community service.

Staff with Nanaimo Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank are rapidly burning through a $7 million grant from the provincial government as a new, long-term warehouse and distribution centre on East Wellington Rd. is constructed.

Executive director Peter Sinclair said they’re awaiting word on a $5 million from the federal government, which was included in a late-2024 fall economic statement, but hasn’t been sent yet, and could be backed into a corner by December.

“In the coming weeks, we need to see that inflow from the federal government, because if we don’t…we’re going to be taking out a construction loan to make sure that this project is completed, and that’s something we really don’t want to do because a loan of that magnitude is going to result in a $30,000 a month mortgage payment.”

Typically filled to the brim with food, the food bank’s Fry St. location is drastically undersized for the current demand and operations. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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Sinclair said regular conversations with the federal government have been positive, as he and other staff with the food bank are in touch with multiple government agencies.

Still, Sinclair said they’re not counting on the money until they see it in their own account.

Even with $5 million from the federal government, the project remains $2.2 million short, with Sinclair and others continually looking for new contributions.

Taking out a loan to ensure the expansive facility continues being built would cause potentially devastating challenges on the services the organization provides.

Sinclair said he’ll do whatever it takes to ensure the new distribution centre is built, as it’s in the long-term best interests of Nanaimo and all the communities they serve.

“We don’t want to cause alarm for the people who are relying on our service, but we are being proactive and looking at where are the places that we could cut that would have the least impact. These aren’t decisions where we make a cut and there’s no difference to the people on the ground, these are cuts that would impact the most vulnerable people in our community.”

Sinclair wouldn’t elaborate on areas they’ve examined.

A rendering of the new facility. (Saywell Contracting Ltd/Alvin Reinhard Fritz Architect)

Construction began on the new 30,000 square foot warehouse in December 2024, which is envisioned to be the long-term home of all food bank operations.

It will be roughly five times the size of their current just south of downtown Nanaimo on Fry St.

Nanaimo Loaves and Fishes provides food to roughly 3,500 people in the Nanaimo area on a monthly basis, and an estimated 15,000 people in total throughout Vancouver Island.

The non-profit agency also distributes food weekly to several satellite depot locations in Nanaimo and around Vancouver Island, primarily in smaller, north Island communities.

The City of Nanaimo purchased the East Wellington Rd. property in 2021 for $1.3 million, leasing it for a 30-year term to Loaves and Fishes for a nominal amount.

Regional District of Nanaimo directors also approved $275,000 in funding toward the project.

Sinclair added the food bank is shifting some elements of their Christmas Hamper program this year, by continuing their regular hamper program through December and adding in grocery store gift cards to clients instead of a dedicated holiday-themed hamper.

He said it gives everyone more flexibility and is a more efficient way of ensuring people get what they need for the holiday season.

The hamper program runs through December, wrapping a few days before Christmas.

Volunteers stock hampers destined for clients in Nanaimo and across Vancouver Island. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

— with files from Jordan Davidson

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