Like many on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mustard Seed Street Church in Victoria and other food banks across the country had to adapt quickly in the face of a deadly threat.
With more people out of work and others increasingly isolated at home, officials needed to figure out a way to keep workers safe and still get food to those who were no longer able to pick it up in person.
A survey by Food Banks Canada found that 70 per cent of food banks either expanded home delivery services or put new programs in place to reach seniors, people with disabilities and others affected by pandemic lockdowns.
鈥淲hat we saw was really quick adaptations and innovations,鈥� said Kirstin Beardsley, chief network services officer. 鈥淥bviously, a lot of that required additional expenses to implement.鈥�
Initially, the Mustard Seed, which receives money from the Times 91原创 Christmas Fund, relied on a large team of volunteers delivering meals and hampers to homes. But as the pandemic continued and demand increased, the food bank streamlined its service by partnering with the 78 agencies that it supports.
鈥淪o that鈥檚 everything from high schools to retirement homes to Indigenous communities to churches to places like Our Place and other shelters,鈥� said Janiene Boice, senior director. 鈥淭hey all pick up from us.鈥�
The food bank used to pack about 400 hampers at its main location on Queens Avenue so that agencies could deliver them to people鈥檚 homes.
But officials shifted that work to its Esquimalt warehouse to meet the growing need and now packs 700 hampers.
鈥淓ach agency has a new relationship with us and they鈥檙e sending volunteer teams to pick up pre-made ready-to-go-to-family hampers,鈥� Boice said. 鈥淭hat never happened before.鈥�
Each hamper contains non-perishable foods as well as milk, butter and produce.
In addition, Boice said the food bank鈥檚 strong relationships with local grocery stores means that it鈥檚 able to put fresh meat, such as chicken breast or a roast in the hampers.
鈥淎nd now, because the agencies are picking it up 鈥e can keep them in the fridges or the freezers and get it directly to where it needs to go.鈥�
Boice said the food distribution centre is currently picking up about 9,000 pounds of fresh products from grocery stores every day.
鈥淭he amount of donations is huge, but the need is huge,鈥� she said.
HOW TO DONATE
The Times 91原创 Christmas Fund, which supports the Mustard Seed and other organizations, is aiming to raise $1 million this year. On Thursday, the donation total inched a little closer, reaching $747,000 through 3,056 donations.
There are several ways to donate:
Go to . That takes you to the Canada Helps website, which is open 24 hours a day and provides an immediate tax receipt.
Mail a cheque, payable to the Times 91原创 Christmas Fund Society, to the Times 91原创 Christmas Fund, 201-655 Tyee Road, Victoria V9A 6X5.
Use your credit card by phoning 250-995-4438 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. Outside those hours, messages will be accepted.
