B.C. food banks pushed closer to breaking point, but services are still working, says SHARE CEO
A record number of British Columbians lined up at food banks this year, according to a recent report from Food Banks B.C., which represents more than 100 hunger relief agencies across the province.
Nearly one-quarter of British Columbians are experiencing food insecurity, an increase that threatens to overwhelm capacity at food banks, according to the report.
“The charitable system that props up this essential service is being pushed closer to breaking point, with the demand growing at a time when donations of food and funds continue to drop,” stated Food Banks B.C. executive director Dan Huang-Taylor.
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“Food insecurity is more of a symptom than the disease, so to speak,” explained SHARE Family and Community Services CEO Claire MacLean.
People rely on food banks for reasons ranging from the cost of housing to an illness in the family, to challenges with work or accreditation.
In the Tri-Cities, the biggest change in 2025 has been the number of dual-income households struggling to make ends meet.
“That is absolutely a different trend for us,” MacLean said.
But while the need is daunting, the programs are helping, MacLean emphasized.
“The services themselves are actually working, and I just would really hope that people take hope from that.”
Every client at SHARE gets to take home a wagon of groceries. But food, MacLean noted, “is just the start.”
Clients also get connected with counselling services, seniors programs, or employment help, depending on what they need.
“It really is about seeing the people that come in as their full selves and as their full story,” MacLean said. “It is working, even though the numbers are climbing.”
As we head into the holiday season, SHARE is calling on people to donate or lend a helping hand at the food bank, a fundraiser, or doing some gift-wrapping for the toy drive.
“We see every day at SHARE that the services we’re delivering are working. They are creating good outcomes for people that need it. They’re changing the health of this community,” MacLean said. “There is good hope on the horizon.”
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