COVID-19 Update
In response to the pandemic, the Food Program has adapted our regular programs. It’s clear that when it comes to food security, some people are more affected by the pandemic than others.
We are partnering with St. Margaret’s of Scotland church to run the Galiano Food Bank, which re-opened in February. There are a number of people on the island who rely on the Food Bank and the demand has increased during the pandemic as many community members are facing financial insecurity. We are very grateful for the swell of donations we’ve received from the community, including the CRD, and from the volunteers who have been doing grocery runs to make sure we have enough – thank you very much for your support. And a big thanks also to Daystar, the Corner Store and Galiano Trading for your support making sure we can bring in groceries.
To meet the needs of people who are self-isolating or in quarantine, and who are struggling to afford groceries, we have begun a new service in partnership with the Better at Home program, delivering over a dozen hampers of food each week. This program relies on over a dozen superstar volunteers who have stepped up to help out, cooking, driving, and doing outreach – thank you all!
As a result of both of these programs, we’re facing a pretty steep grocery bill each week, and we’ve lost the revenue of our Soup & Bread lunches, so again, we’re very grateful for the generous wave of donations from the community, as well as from the United Way.
We are exploring other avenues for financial support including announcements from the Federal Government about support for organizations and Food Banks.
If you’re able to contribute, we need your support to keep our programs going and feed vulnerable islanders.
- Please donate online via Canada Helps at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/the-galiano-club/ (select the ‘Food Bank’ or ‘COVID-19 Meal Production and Delivery’ fund)
- Or mail a cheque mailed to the Galiano Club or St. Margaret of Scotland Church (note ‘food bank’) Or e-transfer to galianoclub@gmail.com, note ‘food bank’.
Galiano Food Bank: Our Most Needed Items
- Canned Protein (Salmon, Tuna, Fish and Meat)
- Canned Fruit/Applesauce
- Canned Soup, Beans, Stew and Chili
- Cooking Oils (Olive and Canola)
- Pasta & Pasta Sauces
- Peanut Butter (or other nut butters)
- Rice (Brown and White)
- Breakfast Cereals & Oats
- Healthy Snacks – Granola Bars/Crackers/Nuts
- Tea and coffee & Skim Milk Powder
- Feminine hygiene products, Toothpaste, Soap
(Please no dented cans or expired food.)
Galiano Food Bank
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.