10/28/2026
Thank you to recent mayoral candidate, Andy Speck, and city counsellor candidate, Brittany Colville, for coming to tour our food bank. Below is what he had to share on his visit. He provides a great overview of how we help our region:
"Along with Brittany Colville for Campbell River City Council we had a great visit today with the team at the Campbell River Food Bank, and I left truly inspired by the work they are doing in our community.
What became very clear to me is that the Campbell River Food Bank is about so much more than providing food. It is an essential community service and an important part of our food-security system. It is also a community hub where people can access support, connection and resources.
The Food Bank also plays an important role when our community faces a disaster or emergency. When people are suddenly displaced or in need, the Food Bank is often among the first organizations called upon to respond. It is a trusted community resource that can be relied upon when people need help most. That role is an important part of Campbell River’s overall community resilience.
JoAnne, Sandra and their team have a bigger vision. They want to bring organizations and community services together under one umbrella, creating a more coordinated approach to food security and supporting people in our community. It is an ambitious and exciting vision, but one of the biggest barriers is funding.
The building and infrastructure are largely supported through grants, while the day-to-day operations and food supply depend heavily on donations. And after hearing about what goes on behind the scenes, I have a much greater appreciation for just how complex and demanding the operation is.
I was also impressed by the standards they have achieved. The Campbell River Food Bank is nationally accredited and ranked #8 in Canada, supported by an exceptional board and an incredibly dedicated team of staff and 72 volunteers.
We talked about their immediate needs, the role the City can play, and how different levels of government could work together to support their longer-term vision.
I was particularly inspired by their willingness to think beyond the traditional model of a food bank. Their vision is about building a stronger, more connected community approach to food security.
I believe those voices need to be at the table. I would like to see the City work alongside the Campbell River Food Bank and other community organizations, bringing their ideas and expertise forward to other levels of government and looking for ways to turn this vision into reality.
Food security is a community responsibility. So is community resilience. I’m grateful to the people at the Campbell River Food Bank who are already doing so much to make our community stronger, and who are there when Campbell River needs them most."
