Did you know that 1 in 3 food bank users in B.C. is a child, and 1 in 8 is a senior? That food banks help reduce hunger with dignity, and help reduce food waste too?

Last year after 20 years of service to the community, Ralph and Hans retired from their work running Galiano’s Food Bank. We met with St. Margaret of Scotland Church to see if there might be a way that the Galiano Community Food Program could support getting the Food Bank up and running again.

We are excited to announce that, as of February, the Galiano Food Bank is open again as a partnership between these two organizations. We are learning a lot as we go, and are keen to figure out what model will work best for the community, but for now, the Food Bank is open every 1st and 3rd Friday of each month from 11am to 1pm in the meeting room of the Church, on Burrill Road. We aim to reduce hunger in an atmosphere of respect and discretion. If you need help meeting your food needs, please come check it out— anyone in need is welcome. There is no fee to use the Food Bank. There will be coffee, tea and treats, and a welcoming face. If there’s something you would like to see on the shelves that isn’t there, please let us know. Come on by!

We are asking the community for donations of food items (no out-of-date food items please)— see the sidebar for a list of what we need most. You can drop off your contributions at Daystar, the Garage, the Corner Store, Soup and Bread at the South Hall, and at the Church on Sundays. Thanks very much to our community partners, including the Galiano Coffee Roasting Company and Galiano Trading, for their support of this project.

You can also help us reduce hunger on our island by donating one of a few ways:

  • By cheque to the Galiano Club (please specify ‘food bank’)
  • Online via Canada Helps at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/the- galiano-club/ (please select the Food Bank in the list of funds)
  • By e-transfer to galianoclub@gmail.com with a note that says ‘food bank’
  • By cheque to St. Margaret of Scotland Church, (please specify ‘food bank’)
  • Cash donations can be left in our donation collection cans at businesses around the islandWe are also looking for volunteers to help with collecting, sorting, and repackaging food. If you’d like to get involved, please email us and we’ll let you know more about what kinds of help we need.