In the News
PRESS RELEASE
Loaves & Fishes Faces Urgent Funding Gap as Demand for Food Support Grows Across Vancouver Island
Nanaimo, BC - November 5, 2025 - Loaves & Fishes Community Food Bank is sounding the alarm as financial donations continue to decline while food insecurity rises sharply across Vancouver Island and the BC coast. Facing a monthly operating deficit of approximately $35,000, Loaves & Fishes has been forced to modify its Christmas hamper program and is issuing an urgent call for community donor support to sustain services, and expedited government funding to complete the new warehouse project.
Despite distributing an estimated $12 million worth of food in 2025, serving 15,000 people across 40 communities, and operating one of Canada’s most efficient food-recovery systems, Loaves & Fishes is experiencing a 20% decline in donations.
“Food is not a privilege, it's a basic right,” said Peter Sinclair, Executive Director of Loaves & Fishes. “Every day, we see more families, seniors, and children who are struggling to put food on the table. We have cut costs everywhere possible, but the current funding gap threatens our ability to keep trucks on the road, run our Free Food Markets, and ensure every community we serve receives the food it needs.”
Critical Warehouse Funding at Risk
Construction of Loaves & Fishes’ new food recovery and distribution warehouse that is being funded through a $7 million provincial grant, significant contributions from the City of Nanaimo and Regional District of Nanaimo, as well as $5 million in federal funding, remains on schedule. However, without the federal funding coming through soon, the organization will be forced to take on a mortgage with a $30,000 per month payment to complete the project.
“This warehouse is critical to feeding communities efficiently and at scale,” said Sinclair. “But if federal funding does not arrive before the provincial contribution is exhausted, we will face monthly mortgage costs that could directly reduce our ability to feed people. We simply cannot allow that to happen.”
Reduced Christmas Hamper Program, Continued Support
Due to the financial shortfall, Loaves & Fishes will not be able to purchase additional food items to add into the Christmas hampers this year. Instead, the food bank will provide grocery gift cards only with values based on household size, similar to 2024, but without supplemental Christmas food hampers.
Regular hampers and Free Food Markets will continue to operate throughout December.
Gift card appointment booking:
• Nov. 15–Dec. 22: Online booking available at www.vifoodbank.org
Call to Action
Loaves & Fishes is calling on:
1. The Federal government to expedite funding for the warehouse
2. Community members able to donate to consider an additional holiday gift or monthly donation
“Your past generosity has transformed lives,” said Sinclair. “We are asking our community to stretch once more so that no person on Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, or the Coast goes hungry this winter.”
To donate or learn more, please visit www.vifoodbank.org
Media Contact
Melissa Lavoie, MA, CFP
Director Philanthropy and Revenue Generation
Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank Society
Phone: (236) 362-3505
Email: melissa.lavoie@viloavesandfishes.org
www.viloavesandfishes.org
We were honored to be featured in this segment by reporter Mike Kirsch, which highlights shifting trade patterns between Canada and the U.S. The news report explores how Canadian consumers are choosing more locally made products, and it spotlights Loaves & Fishes Community Food Bank and the increase in U.S.-sourced items received through our food recovery program.