Food is a basic human need. Here are some options to help you meet that need in Nanaimo.
Helpful Links
Nanaimo Ladysmith Schools Foundation Food4Schools program: provides healthy meals and snacks to vulnerable students. Programs may include breakfast, lunch and/or snacks.
Loaves and Fishes Food Bank: Free food available 7 days a week at depots across Nanaimo with no income information required.
Nanaimo Foodshare Good Food Box: Fresh produce available for low cost.
Nanaimo Foodshare BC Farmers Market Nutrition Coupon Program: Provides coupons for local farmer’s markets to those who identify as low-income, increasing access to healthy, local food.
Cedar Farmers Market Nutrition Coupon Program: Provides coupons for local farmer’s markets to those who identify as low-income, increasing access to healthy, local food.
LRCA Food Pantry: Offers access to food security capacity building initiatives, housing support services, food relief and community wellness services that address barriers to self sufficiency.
Nanaimo Community Kitchens Community Cooking Programs: Provides support for low-income individuals by increasing access to nutritious fresh food.
Vancouver Island Regional Library Commercial St Location: offers the Creativity Commons Seed Library to promote food security in our local community through the exchange of locally grown and donated seeds.
Nanoose Community Services: Food Program: Grocery cards are provided to food program participants to purchase groceries near the end of the month when their resources do not meet their basic needs.
Dayforce Cares: Offers grants between $200 to $5000 to help cover costs such as clothing and footwear, food and basic household needs and medical expenses. This is not an emergency resource as they can take up to 90 days to respond. To apply you must complete the Application for Grant form. The recipient of the grant may be any age, but an applicant can submit on behalf of a recipient.
Island Crisis Care Society: Veterans Program: Can support veterans with Rent Subsidies, wrap around supports such as groceries, gas cards, mental health and more. Also hosting a number of free workshops to help Veterans connect with one another, build a new skill, and maybe help with their budget in other ways. Veterans can reach out directly to Sara, Rent Subsidy Coordinator at rentsubsidy@iccare.ca or 672-208-8553
Meals
Nanaimo Foodshare Monday Lunch Together: Join us every Monday from 12–1 PM at St. Paul’s Church (100 Chapel St.) for “Monday Lunch Together,” a free, nutritious, homemade meal prepared by participants in Foodshare’s Employment Program. Dine in or take out—individuals, groups, and teams are all welcome! Donations are appreciated but not required. To volunteer or learn about upcoming opportunities, email Calven at calven.chow@nanaimofoodshare.ca.
Salvation Army New Hope Centre Community Meal: Daily free meal, everyone welcome. 1pm to 2pm. 19 Nicol Street.
Harvest Church-On Eagles Wings: Offers Sunday night Spaghetti meal weekly (Closed July & August).
Meals on Wheels Nanaimo: Serves people who require a nutritious hot meal on a daily basis. Meals can be provided on an ongoing basis or short term if you are recovering from illness or surgery.
