The federal government has committed to provide a significant cash infusion to help a food bank construct a warehouse facility in Nanaimo.
Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank has secured land and monetary commitments from provincial, municipal and regional district governments and a building permit for a site on East Wellington Road in Nanaimo and the Government of Canada has allocated $5 million between 2025-27, as per its 2024 fall economic statement.
In an e-mail, the Department of Finance Canada told the News Bulletin $2.5 million will come in 2025-26 and $2.5 million in 2026-27, coming via Pacific Economic Development Canada, which aids growth and diversification of B.C.'s economy.
Peter Sinclair, Loaves and Fishes executive director, was happy to see the federal government has budgeted money for the project. He isn't willing to count his chickens before they hatch, with the Liberal Party turmoil in Ottawa; however, he said he is "cautiously optimistic."
"We still need to raise the additional money to complete the warehouse, get the kitchen in it, get all the racking in, but this is obviously a huge jump to getting … the whole thing paid for," said Sinclair.
Not including the $5 million, close to $9 million in money and in-kind donations have been procured by Loaves and Fishes, with an ultimate goal of over $16 million. Further fundraising efforts will be undertaken and there are contingencies in place.
"We do have a construction loan available to us, if we need it," said Sinclair. "We're hopeful we don't, and if this $5 million materializes, that goes a long way to reducing the need for a mortgage, but we do anticipate having a specific fundraising campaign in place once we know and have the specifics."
Currently, a blasting crew is on site making way for an underground parking lot and the current pan is to move in in early 2026.
Lisa Marie Barron, Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP, said the project is important for the riding.
"People in Nanaimo-Ladysmith and across the Island are struggling to make ends meet, and Loaves and Fishes is doing a huge part in making sure people are not left to go hungry … I’m pleased that all three levels of government have finally come to agreement that this funding is a priority. This federal funding is needed and long overdue," she said in a statement.
