Fourteen Basin food banks will see new infrastructure and upgraded equipment to strengthen operations.
Food banks across the region are upgrading their facilities and equipment to create safer, more efficient spaces for volunteers and clients. With support from Columbia Basin Trust, these improvements will help organizations better store, move and distribute food to the individuals and families who rely on their services.
“All people in the Columbia Basin deserve access to locally grown, healthy food, and food banks are a vital resource for many,” said Katie Kendall, Senior Manager, Delivery of Benefits, Columbia Basin Trust. “These upgrades help ensure food is stored and handled safely and that food banks have the tools they need to operate efficiently.”
The Trust is supporting this work with over $430,000 for 14 projects in 11 communities. To view all projects, click here.
In addition to these infrastructure improvements, the Trust is providing seasonal support to food banks, First Nation communities and Métis associations to help meet increased holiday demand.
Volunteers at the Columbia Valley Food Bank are committed to offering a wide range of nutritious items to people in need, but moving bulk food up and down stairs in its Invermere building has been challenging. To improve safety and ease the workload, the food bank is installing a freight lift between its basement storage and the main floor.
“With the continued increase in the number of clients we serve, we now purchase much of our food in bulk, which is heavy and difficult to carry,” said Eileen Bilodeau, Board Chair. “We are privileged to work with over 60 dedicated volunteers, who are mostly retired and over 60, and they struggled to move these items up and down our steep staircase. The Board felt it needed to do something to protect these valued volunteers and decrease the chance of injury, and the solution was the freight lift.”
The New Denver and Area Community Hamper Society is enhancing its food bank space by adding new counters with storage, and completing electrical work to improve lighting and ventilation.
“This project will allow us to improve efficiency by reconfiguring our current layout in the food bank and office,” said Shelley Welch, Board member. “The space will become more user-friendly and functional for our volunteers, clients and Board members; air flow and circulation will be improved, and we’ll have more space for storage.”
The Community Connections Revelstoke Society is purchasing an industrial washer and dryer, plus two fridges to replace equipment that is no longer reliable and to meet food safety standards. It’s also adding bins to help sort, organize and display items.
“Upgrading our equipment and organizing our space isn’t just about efficiency, it’s about creating an environment where every person who comes through our doors feels dignity, respect and a sense of place,” said Austin Luciow, Kitchen Manager. “By replacing equipment that no longer meets our operational needs and thoughtfully arranging our space, we can ensure food is handled safely, access is easier, and every visit feels more like a grocery store experience rather than a handout. These improvements allow us to serve our community with care, compassion and pride, supporting not just their physical needs, but their well-being and self-respect.”
