Last Friday Pat Weaver, on behalf of the Cowichan Lake Community Forest Co-op, presented a cheque for $1000 to the Cowichan Lake Food Bank, received by spokesperson Betty Sanddar.
“We’re happy to do what we can do to support the Cowichan Lake area,” said Weaver.
Sanddar was awed and overjoyed to hear about the donation.
“I get teary just thinking about it,” said Sanddar.
The food bank has had a rough go of things lately, since their home base, a space in one of the local churches, is being sold.
Luckily, the Town of Lake Cowichan has come through to offer a temporary home from which the food bank can operate, the Mildred Childs Annex, next to town hall.
Sanddar shares that originally the town thought they would only be able to offer it for about six months, but it might now be possible they could stay there for closer to two years.
However, as Sanddar mentions, they will always face this problem of instability unless they find a way to purchase a permanent location.
She says plans are in the works for future upcoming fundraising campaigns.
“Katherine made the point, and it is true, that so many people around town are only two or three pay checks away from needing the food bank. That’s the way the economy is right now,” said Sanddar.
Sanddar says the Forest Co-op’s donation will go to their monthly purchase of food like powdered milk, which is quite expensive, and other regularly purchased items like sugar, fresh milk and produce. All of these items are purchased monthly since they are not often donated.
Sanddar says they welcome donations of powdered milk, since it has a long shelf life.
If you would like to donate money or food to the food bank, contact Betty Sanddar or email cowichanlakefoodbank@gmail.com.