Food banks across the province, including Nanaimo, are seeing increasing numbers of clients. (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

increased need

‘That’s a real concern:’ rising B.C. food bank usage resonates in Nanaimo

Dec 8, 2025 | 5:27 AM

NANAIMO — Amid a slumping economy and the high cost of living, stark findings in a newly released Food Banks BC report aren’t overly surprising to Peter Sinclair.

The executive director of Nanaimo Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank reacted with concern to the report stating 1.3 million (24.4 per cent) of British Columbians are experiencing food insecurity.

More than 113,000 British Columbians relied on a food bank in March 2025, up 44 per cent compared to prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It shows that the situation we’re facing here in Nanaimo is being replicated across the province. Anytime you’ve got people not having access to food, that’s a real concern,” Sinclair told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Compiled from multiple sources, including input from food banks across the province, including in Nanaimo, Food Banks BC reported over 30 per cent of food bank recipients are children.

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Longtime Nanaimo Loaves and Fishes executive director Peter Sinclair (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Fifty-four per-cent of Vancouver Island food bank users are single, which led the province in the category.

Sinclair said local reliance on their services for food shot up to just over 5,000 people in November, an increase on a typical month in the 4,200 range.

“While we are seeing a slight increase in the overall number of people who need to use our service, the people who are using our service are using it more.”

Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank is particularly strained by an unfavorable financial situation.

Monetary donations are down, while expenses are rising, with Sinclair noting their operating with about $30,000 in monthly losses.

Sinclair said the good news is they are sourcing record amounts of food.

“We continue to access more food than ever before. As we access that additional food, that gives us hope that we can get it connected to the people who actually need it.”

In addition to a primary depot and several satellite pick-up points offering weekly food to people in Nanaimo, Loaves and Fishes also serves in the range of 15,000 in many mid and north Vancouver Island communities.

While monetary donations are badly needed, so are volunteers to help organize food during the pending holiday season.

Sinclair said interested volunteers are invited to a book a shift online through their website linked here.

“We need people to come in and sort that abundance of food because if it doesn’t get sorted, we can’t provide it to people.”

Meanwhile, Sinclair reported positive interactions at the bureaucratic level to secure $5 million to help pay for an enlarged food bank warehouse under construction on East Wellington Rd.

Sinclair said “encouraging” levels of discussions have been made as Loaves and Fishes arranges the paperwork required to receive the funding.

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