St. Joseph’s Food Bank in Mission, British Columbia, is embarking on a fundraising campaign to secure a new facility, aiming to raise $400,000 to accommodate the growing number of individuals and families relying on its services. Officially recognized by both Food Bank BC and Food Banks Canada, St. Joseph’s Food Bank has been a pillar of support in the community since its establishment in 1990 by Father Gary Gordon. Originally operating with just 6 volunteers, the food bank quickly outgrew its church basement location by 2008. In December 2009, thanks to the generosity of the Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver, a dedicated food bank building was established, providing a more spacious and accessible environment. Since its inception, the food bank has been supported by various entities, including community members, businesses, service organizations, and local government bodies. The demand for food assistance has surged dramatically in recent years. Currently serving over 1,800 individuals and 900 families, the food bank has experienced a notable increase from the 1,500 people it served in December 2022. This surge underscores the critical need for expanded facilities to meet the growing demand effectively.
In a heartening display of community support, the Mission Community Foundation recently contributed $28,000 to St. Joseph’s Food Bank. This generous donation will be directed toward purchasing perishable items, ensuring that users have access to nutritious food options. Each food hamper provided by the food bank contains approximately 75 pounds of essential items, typically sustaining recipients for seven to 10 days. With an average of 10 to 15 new registrations each week, the need for assistance continues to rise.
Mission resident Kenny Braich is contributing to the fundraising efforts too through a “Food Bank Run Challenge,” matching up to $20,000 in donations. Braich emphasizes the importance of supporting St. Joseph’s during tough times, highlighting its significant need. The fundraiser has already surpassed its initial $10,000 target, with Braich’s matching contribution extending to $20,000. Every donation is crucial, as St. Joseph’s Food Bank is the sole provider in Mission and extends support to other organizations in the city.
