B.C. food banks wait for provincial funding to kick-in

Local food banks in B.C. are receiving some much needed help from the provincial government after $15 million in funding from the provincial government was announced Thursday.

Mahmood Zafar, manager of finance, admin, and HR at the Surrey Food Bank said he’s grateful for the funding, but he’s still uncertain how it will play out.

“Right now we’re looking for any sort of funding, but I’m not sure how this funding is going to help me fill up these empty racks,” Zafar said.

A regular Monday at the Surrey Food Bank has jumped from serving 40 families to 150 families in a matter of months. Workers said they’re afraid these numbers will only grow with time.

Inflation has simultaneously caused food banks to lose donors and disposable income, Zafar said, while also increasing clients.

“If I show you my freezer, eggs are out, same condition with milk. Two months ago I was buying milk and eggs worth…my bill was $12…now I’m paying for the same thing, $18.”

Employees at the Surrey Food Bank said they’ve never seen the shelves so bare. They’re particularly in need of food for children, such as baby formula — which has skyrocketed in price — and for seniors, such as Boost.

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With a decrease in donations, Zafar is forced to rely upon the few donors he has left.

Donor Shaveta Oberoi said she continues to contribute to the Surrey Food Bank because she knows what it’s like to go without it.

“I have been through this … there was a time where I was not able to afford food, it was very difficult for me,” Oberoi said.

She’s now paying it forward by giving her own food back to the food bank, including healthy options that are growing more and more expensive.

“The growing need for food banks is reflected in just how many are now present in the province,” said Dan Huang-Taylor, executive director of food banks B.C.

In the forty-plus years food banks have operated in the province, he said there’s never been this many.

“We are seeing increases in need among certain marginalized populations, certainly people who are on fixed incomes,” Huang-Taylor said. “And quite worryingly, a significant number of people who are both working, or two income households who are still needing access to foodbank services.”