The Lake Cowichan Food Bank has moved into its new space and delivered its first batch of donations to community members in need.
The volunteer-run organization relocated its operations to 205 South Shore Road from its previous spot at the Mildred Child Annex.
“We now have space to actually move around,” said volunteer coordinator and food bank secretary Cindy Vaast, noting that the group now has between 800 and 900 square feet to operate in — almost twice the room it had before the move to the new location.
Vaast said recipients of the food will notice the differences.
“It’s going to be nice to have an overhang [outside] so that when they are lining up to come in they won’t be standing in the rain,” she said.
“And also we’re no longer in the middle of town. Being across from the post office, that’s where people go constantly and so I think that some clients who stopped coming because it was so open will maybe now feel safer to come back, that it’s safer [in terms of their privacy].”
Food is distributed on the second Wednesday of every month, with volunteers preparing the orders the day before.
Families and individuals seeking food from the group still need to visit community services and fill out an application.
“We need to have a count,” said Vaast.
She also emphasized that there is no drop-off bin for donations.
“The best way to contact us is through cowichanlakefoodbank@gmail.com. No dropping off food here at the location, [people] need to schedule a drop-off time with us because otherwise it would just sit outside,” she said.
The food bank will be holding its annual general meeting on April 11 at 6:30 p.m. at Country Grocer.