A Brief History
The Community Food Bank of the Western Communities has been in operation since 1983. It was launched by a number of service organizations to counter the affect of the recession on low-income residents. Hundreds of volunteer hours were devoted to starting the program.After a brief period of management by an outside agency the Food Bank was reconstituted as the Goldstream Food Bank Society, a registered charity. The Society staff is entirely volunteer. It draws the support of local citizens, food distributers, schools and churches; provincial government employees, BC gaming, charitable grant organizations and other community organizations.
Our facilities are in the basement of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #91. We serve the municipalities of View Royal, Langford, Colwood, Highlands, and Metchosin. Demand for hampers remains high.
We deeply appreciate the generosity of those who donate their time, food and financial resources in the constant struggle to keep or food bank Solvent.
Missions, Values, Ethics
The Mission of the Goldstream Food Bank is to bring the community together to provide food supplies to Westshore residents who are hungry.
Guided by the Values and Ethics that:
Guided by the Values and Ethics that:
- All persons are of equal value and must be treated with dignity and respect.
- No one will be denied assistance because of gender, race, creed or colour.
- The food bank will strive to provide food in a manner that allows patrons to retain their personal dignity.
Food Bank Operation
In 2007 the Goldstream Food Bank provided an average of 272 hampers of food each month. These hampers assisted over 8000 people of whom 34% were children sixteen years or younger.
Hampers are customized for family size and preferences but on average contain $45 worth of nutritious food. Forty percent is donated, the remainder is purchased with donated money.Hampers are provided free of charge to anyone in need in the Western Communities. Each provides enough food for at least 3 days of meals for the recipient family. Other food banks serve the communities that border our area.
The Goldstream Food Bank bought $78,429 worth of food in 2007. An additional $68,000 worth of food and household items was donated.
We receive our accommodation free except for electricity costs and our 100+ volunteers each donate at least 7½ hours of work monthly. Many contribute much more. No salaries or honorariums are paid.
An application to join the Food Bank Society is included here.
Hampers are customized for family size and preferences but on average contain $45 worth of nutritious food. Forty percent is donated, the remainder is purchased with donated money.Hampers are provided free of charge to anyone in need in the Western Communities. Each provides enough food for at least 3 days of meals for the recipient family. Other food banks serve the communities that border our area.
The Goldstream Food Bank bought $78,429 worth of food in 2007. An additional $68,000 worth of food and household items was donated.
We receive our accommodation free except for electricity costs and our 100+ volunteers each donate at least 7½ hours of work monthly. Many contribute much more. No salaries or honorariums are paid.
An application to join the Food Bank Society is included here.
How You Can Help
The Westshore Food Bank needs your help. Here's how you can:
Donate Money
Donations are gratefully received and tax receipted. If you would like to make a donation please send it to:Goldstream Food Bank
Westshore Town Centre, PO Box 28122
Victoria BC V9B 6K8
You can also contribute by making $2.00 BC sharing donations at participating Western Community food stores.
Donate Food
Food donations are as easy as dropping off non-perishable items in the Food Bank bin in you Western Communities food store. You can also bring donations directly to the Food Bank during our normal operation hours 10 am to 2:30 pm the first three Tuesdays and Wednesdays of each month.
Donate Time
We need volunteers to collect food, warehouse and fill shelves, fill hampers, repackage bulk food, interview clients and manage clothing donations. If you would like to contribute please call us at 474-4443 to arrange to meet with the volunteer coordinator.