News

Salt Spring Island Food Bank Gets a New Home-March 2006

Thanks to the incredible support of Admiral Lodge #170 A.F.A.N. and generous community donations the SSI Food Bank finally has a new building. The food bank, run by volunteers and stocked by community donations, has provided emergency food for those in need for the past 20 years.  Due to dramatic increases in need the service has outgrown its cramped quarters in the basement of Community Services and a new building devoted entirely to food bank services has been constructed on the Community Services site at 268 Fulford-Ganges Road.

Increasing need: In the early years emergency food was distributed weekly from the staff kitchen to an average of 15 people. Today an average of 100 people per week access the foodbank.  At Christmas over 220 food hampers are prepared and distributed to individuals and families in need. This is triple the number distributed three years ago.

The new facility: The new building provides 800 square feet of storage and distribution space, complete with new refrigeration and grocery store style shelving. Increased storage and working space will make it easier for volunteers to serve those in need. Construction costs, including upgraded parking, have been under $ 70,000.

Thank you: Randy Sloan has been the driving force for Admirals Lodge, tirelessly tracking down donations of cash, building materials and labour.  The Salt Spring Foundation generously contributed $ 5,000 to the project.  The list of other contributors is a long one, but includes many Island businesses, individual tradespeople and residents.