Tri-City food banks run by Share Family and Community Services got a big boost from the federal government this week in time to feed hundreds of local families.
CEO Claire MacLean confirmed that the community service agency will use the $25,000 grant to make improvements to its food hamper delivery service to make it safer during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
Currently, as many as 350 households are receiving hampers each week from food banks located in Port Moody, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam.
The money came from a federal Local Food Infrastructure Fund, a $50-million program under the Food Policy for Canada, which is aimed at community-based, not-for-profit organizations, according to a press release from Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam MP Ron McKinnon.
MacLean said the money will be used to purchase a lift gate for one of Share’s delivery trucks to enable more efficient and safe loading and unloading of product as well as new plastic totes for fresh produce.
“They can be easily washed out which makes for more efficient and safe handling of the fruits and vegetables we are handling. The grant is useful as we work towards ensuring Share can provide efficient and safe access to healthy food for those who need it,” MacLean said in an email.
While food bank numbers are holding steady, MacLean predicted a slight rise in the fall when some federal government subsidies fade out or the financial impacts of COVID-19 are felt more broadly throughout the region.
