Community Food Programs and Support
Port Alberni Backpack Program
The program operates from the United Church on Church Street. They provide nutritious food on weekends for families living on or below the poverty line who reside In the Dunn and Maquinna School catchment area. A dedicated group of 8 volunteers pack the bags on Thursdays.
Dunn families can pick up food at the United Church.
Maquinna families can pick up food in the Maquinna Library:
Bread of Life Centre Soup Kitchen
Hot, nutritious meals to all who come, providing a place where all feel safe and welcome.
Location: 3130 3rd Avenue, Port Alberni (map)
Phone: (250) 723-4049
The Port Alberni Shelter Society
The Port Alberni Shelter Society runs a Community Food Program for those in need. Donated items are available throughout the week at the Shelter Outreach Centre located at 3699 3rd Ave (corner of Bute St). (map)
During the summer months, fresh produce including salad mixes, beets, carrots, peas, beans, green onions, radish, broccoli, spinach, cucumbers, squash, strawberries, culinary herbs and garlic is grown on their Shelter Farm.
Please call 778-419-0016 for specific dates/times to pick up your food items.
Salvation Army Community Food Bank
The Community Food Bank addresses the needs of all individuals in need of support, with a vision that no person in Port Alberni should be hungry.
The Food Bank is accessed by appointment. To make an appointment, call (250) 723-6913 and book an appointment with the receptionist.
They are located at 4835 Argyle Street, on the corner of 4th Avenue and Argyle (map)
Salvation Army Summer Breakfast Program
Food in The Sun – During the summer, Salvation Army provides continuity for the school-based Breakfast program. Three times weekly parents can come to choose breakfast and bag lunch items for their school-aged children and toddlers.
They are located at 4835 Argyle Street, on the corner of 4th Avenue and Argyle (map)
Salvation Army Milk for Kids Program
Families can register their children in this program, which provides one litre of milk per week, per child. They also have a Baby Formula program for newborns and infants.
They are located at 4835 Argyle Street, on the corner of 4th Avenue and Argyle (map)
Salvation Army Good Food Box
Order a Good Food Box before the first Thursday of every month, and pick it up the following Thursday. The cost for a box of produce is $12, and you get to take home a minimum of $20 worth of fresh produce.
They are located at 4835 Argyle Street, on the corner of 4th Avenue and Argyle (map)
SD 70 Pacific Rim Family Affordability Fund
The Government of British Columbia has provided school districts with funds to support families who have been struggling with rising food costs, and costs for a range of goods and services. This includes significant support for families with school aged children. These funds are to support families in the areas of:
o Providing food and meal support
o School supplies
o School fees or expenses (field trips, extracurricular costs, school sports teams, fees for special classes, instrument and equipment fees, etc.)
o Clothing or footwear required for school sports and other school activities
Tofino Fish and Loaves
Fish and Loaves Food Bank is available weekly at the Legion Hall parking lot, 331 Main Street, Tofino.
The Food Bank is open every Wednesday from 10.30am – 11.30am. Food, clothing and other useful items are available to those in need. Items can be delivered to those who are unable to drop by the Legion.
Tel: 250-726-5017
Westcoast Community Resources Society Community Lunch
The weekly Community Lunch Program is held Thursdays at Coastal Community Services Hub (Ucluelet Community Centre) from 11:30-1 p.m. Everyone is welcome to enjoy hot soup and good company.
Food Bank on the Edge
Food Bank on the Edge co-ordinates donations of food and ensures food is distributed quickly and efficiently to people in need in West Coast communities
Location: 272 Main Street, Ucluelet (map)
Phone: (250) 726-6909