Recent grants awarded to the Feed the People Food Bank have breathed new life into a beloved local program.
Feed the People started in 2013 as a passion project led by the late Bonnie Olsen.
“The legacy she left behind was pretty incredible,” says Haley Fields, program coordinator.
“I can’t emphasize enough how amazing what Bonnie did was.”
The food bank operates out of the Islands Wellness Society building in Daajing Giids and serves about 300 households in all the Haida Gwaii communities south of Masset.
Fields said her position came thanks to Olsen, who applied to the Vancouver Foundation for funding towards a food-bank coordinator in 2023, shortly before she passed away.
The position is funded for two more years and marks the first time the food bank hasn’t had to rely entirely on volunteers.
Feed the People’s operating budget is funded annually by Gwaii Trust, Fields said.
“We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without them.”
The food bank also receives donations from local residents and businesses. Fields has managed to secure more funds to give the building a facelift and bring forward several new program ideas.
The food bank now has an online donations platform called Zeffy without overhead charges, making sure every dollar donated goes to Feed the People.
The food bank’s former paper coupons have also been replaced with a reloadable card that uses Tomat, a web-based platform funded by the Pacific Blue Cross Health Foundation.
Now, all the food bank clients have a card, like a bank card, that is automatically topped up on the 15th of every month. Any leftover balance carries on to the next month.
“It really supports autonomy and dignity for our clients,” Fields said, noting that clients previously had to pick up a new card every month.
Several Haida Gwaii stores have a designated tablet to scan the cards, including the Sandspit Super Valu, Haida Gwaii Co-op in Skidegate, Bayview Market in Port Clements, as well as City Centre and the Isabel Creek Store in Daajing Giids.
“The goal was to streamline everyone’s process,” Fields said. “So far, we have had great feedback on it.”
Besides the cards and online donations, Feed the People is also getting a newly renovated pantry room funded by a $53,000 BC Critical Food Infrastructure grant.
“We are super grateful they thought our project was worthy of funds, it will be such a critical change in how we deliver our emergency bags,” Fields said.
The pantry room is being stripped, repainted, and everything inside will be made food-safe.
A commercial-grade fridge and freezer with a glass front will be installed, making it much easier for staff and volunteers to manage food. Currently, the food bank has limited cold storage available, limiting the amount of dairy and fresh produce it can offer.
Feed the People also has plans to equip the pantry with a vaccuum sealer and food dehydrator so they are able to make locally gathered food available.
Overall, the goal is to give clients more opportunity to choose proteins and other foods their families would enjoy.
Feed the People has supplied emergency food bags to many clients to get them through an unexpectedly tight period. They include various staples, including food, toiletries, cleaning supplies and pet food, if needed.
“We do our best to give a well-rounded bag of goodies,” Fields said.
Salmon and halibut are regularly donated to the food bank, and will be housed in the new freezers as soon as they arrive. Skidegate Band Council recently sponsored a fishing derby where half the catch was donated to the food bank and local food-to-school programs.
“Everybody deserves access to fresh, quality food,” Fields said.
Fields is working on “loop program” partnerships with local grocery stores that reduce food waste.
The Skidegate Co-op now donates its soon-to-expire canned goods and will also freeze meat and dairy products before their expiration and donate them.
“Nobody wants to be throwing out food,” said Fields.
“It’s a great opportunity for them to support their community simultaneously while being mindful of their ordering process.”
To request services or ask questions about the Feed the People, call 250-559-4100.