B.C. food banks received some good news from the province Sunday when it was announced they will receive a $3 million emergency grant from the Community Gaming Grants program.
The money will be distributed provincewide to pay for food and staff wages and help cover deliver costs.
“We know that many British Columbia families count on food banks to supplement their weekly grocery needs,” said Mable Elmore, Parliamentary Secretary for Poverty Reduction, in a prepared release.
“To help ensure that people continue to have access to the food they need, our government is taking steps by supporting B.C. food banks so they can, in turn, keep meeting the needs of the people in the communities they serve,” she said.
‘Using funds from the gaming grants program is an example of how government and non-profit partners are working together to respond to the evolving nature of the pandemic, easing the burden on B.C.'s food banks and helping people who are feeling the strain of the COVID-19 crisis."
The funding came out of the remainder of the Community Gaming Grant's 2019-20 budget of $140 million. Most of that budget was awarded in 2019 to various eligible not-for-profit organizations.
The Salvation Army and Vincent de Paul Society each operate food banks in Prince George.
The amount each food bank receives will depend on need assessments conducted by Food Banks BC. The funds are to be distributed quickly and equitably to all regions of the province.
"This grant will make a tremendous impact in communities all over B.C. and ensure that food banks can keep their doors open and continue to meet the needs of the vulnerable, who particularly need their assistance at this time," said Laura Lansink, executive director of Food Banks BC.
