As food insecurity throughout the valley continues to skyrocket, Cowichan Valley Basket Society is looking for community members to come together as they embark on their new comprehensive plan that will involve three phases to not only help meet growing community needs, but also provide relief for those in the valley who struggle with food insecurity.
The society was first started in 1988 by a group of valley residents who saw a great need for a coordinated answer to hunger in the area. According to the society recent reports show that more than 20 per cent of families in our community are experiencing food insecurity, which has led to a 200 per cent rise in monthly hamper distributions in the Cowichan Valley over the last 18 months. The group distributed 570 hampers just in May alone, supporting more than 1,200 individuals with food worth more than $82,000, and served up an average of 195 hot meals in their dining room daily.
The Basket Society has been at its current location on Garden Street since 2001. The main floor of the original building is used for both its kitchen and dinning room to serve hot meals six days a week as well as office space for the management while their program Sunday Sandwiches provides lunch to those in need on both Sundays and holidays.
In 2022 the society purchased both the land and building next door in order to expand their services. Phase 1 on their new plan to combat food insecurity in the valley will involve linking the two buildings together with a new 250 sq. ft lobby. Currently the neighbouring building is dedicated to assisting society guests with modified full-choice food selection, while the main site's basement is currently used to assemble the hampers.
The first phase, which will cost in the neighbourhood of $100,000, will also include site preparation, enhancing the electrical service, as well as a back-up generator. The society hopes to start on renovations later this year once permits and funding are in place.
"It has been the goal of CVBS to have more space for operations for years and since purchasing the property next door in 2022 we have working towards the goal of moving the food hamper program into its own space," said manager Henry Wikkerink. "CVBS has been running the hamper program out of the basement of our centre since we purchased the property in 2001. The space is very limited, so the three phase plan was developed so we can stay operational with both our hamper and lunch program while building."
Wikkerink said they hope to then move directly on to next two phases. The second phase of this project will focus on constructing a 3,000 sq. ft space which will feature a hamper store, food recovery processing, and storage facilities to offer full-choice shopping for hamper recipients. The renovation will also allow for some second floor program space. Phase 3 will include revamping the society's current kitchen and dining area. The society's goal is to raise $950,000 to not only cover the costs of the build for this project, but also to pay off the remaining small mortgage on the property.
Wikkerink said they are just hoping to build a bigger space to help community members and neighbours who do not have enough to eat — the ideal goal is to have all three phases completed for the winter of 2025.
"We have applied for a number of capital grants, while at the same time asking our community to help by making donations to the Building for the Future Fund," said Wikkerink.
Community members can help with this project by spreading the news, and by making a donation to the Building for the Future Fund on the society's website at cvbs.ca. To become a significant donor for this project, reach out to Richard Currie, the board chair at cvbs_boardchair@cvbs.ca, or Henry Wikkerink, the CVBS manager, at henry@cvbs.ca
"The changes will allow CVBS to serve the increased need in the community of individuals and families who are experiencing food insecurity," said Wikkerink. "The space will include a walk in cooler and freezer, allowing us to more effectively store donations of food from our food recovery program collecting from local grocers and farmers, the building also includes some meeting rooms, giving opportunities to provide some teaching on how to best use a food hamper. With the escalating demand for hampers, every contribution is crucial and appreciated. We are deeply grateful for the ongoing support from volunteers and donations of food and funds over the past 36 years.
