Category: Food
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Risebridge offers community support
We are so fortunate that Marnie Boers, a Director with Risebridge, made time to answer questions from PAN about their Fall 2025 operations. 1. Tell us about your drop-in times. Where are they, when are they, and what kind of support is provided to people who attend? Community drop-in times…
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Nanaimo’s Free Sunday Night Pasta Dinner
Every Sunday between 5pm to 6pm is a FREE Spaghetti dinner at Harvest Church (6553 Portsmouth Road) known as “On Eagles Wings”. These meals are on hiatus during July & August. Coordinator Susanne Lee graciously answered PAN’s questions about the meal program. 1. What prompted the idea to serve a…
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Why book a Food Bank Appointment?
By Sarah Pump, Executive Director The first resource that I recommend to every struggling low-income client is Nanaimo’s Loaves & Fishes Community Food Bank. Sometimes, these clients have objections to using the Food Bank. They are not physically able to stand in a line. They become anxious from the noise.…
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Volunteering with the 7-10 Club
By PAN Contributor Christine Winterburn The 7-10 Club provides bag lunches 5 days a week Monday to Friday for those living on the streets and suffering from food insecurity. This is a huge problem in the City of Nanaimo. So many are not getting enough food and it’s heartbreaking. There…
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A new Food Bank user shares their experience
By PAN Contributor Lynn One day a couple months ago I was asked if I have used the food bank. I replied that I have never used it but lately have been wondering if I could or should. I say this because I live with my elderly father so I…
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A real life example of applying for a crisis supplement
Last week, I applied for a crisis food supplement available through my benefits as a recipient of PWD (Provincial Disability). I thought it might be helpful to other PWD or Income Assistance recipients to share my experience. My son had his annual eye exam with our optometrist.In most cases, when…
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Food Bank: Drop-in vs. Appts
Nanaimo’s Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank is open at depots across the city, 7 days a week. When you view the schedule with the depot locations online, there are two kinds listed: drop-in and by appointment only. I started out as a food bank user attending the drop-in locations…
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Ministry Crisis Supplements: Access and Use
Crisis supplements are a valuable tool for people on Income Assistance and PWD (Provincial Disability).It’s helpful to be aware of what you are eligible for. Everyone’s experience is different. I have had significant success applying regularly for crisis supplements through the Self Serve online portal (you can also apply over…
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Have you tried the Good Food Box?
This week, we are so fortunate to have an interview to share with Andrea Huhn, the Good Food Box Program Coordinator with Nanaimo Foodshare. What is included in a Good Food Box? There is an average of 7 – 9 different fruits and vegetables in each week’s Good Food Box.…
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Visiting the Food Bank
Use of Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank in Nanaimo has increased 34% over the past year. I have seen this increase in action, as the lineup at the depot that I visit has gotten considerably longer. There are depots open across Nanaimo 7 days a week. If you think…
Poverty Advocacy Nanaimo 