Neighbours Helping Neighbours
What To Expect During Your Visit To
The Comox Valley Food Bank:
We are located in Courtenay, BC at 1255 McPhee Ave.
This permanent location was purchased by the CVFB Society in the fall of 2022 with generous support from a local donor.
Supplemental food items can be picked up and donations can be made at this location.
Once a week, registered clients can access fruit, vegetables, protein, dairy, and bread Monday to Friday between 9:00 am to 12:00 pm (noon). Non-perishable pantry hampers are available once monthly.
Upon arrival, clients will take a number outside and will be able to access food items that are located outside while they wait. Clients will be called into the Food Bank when their number comes up.
There will be a volunteer at the door reminding clients to have their ID ready. Signage and volunteers will guide new clients through the 6-step modified shopping model. There will be volunteers available to help or answer questions throughout the process.
Donations are processed in the administration offices at the front of the building between 8am – 3pm.
If this is your FIRST VISIT, check out our Get Assistance page.
Here you will find information about weekly service, the monthly non-perishable hamper, Healthy Families Program, and the Home Delivery Program.
We look forward to serving you,
Management
Comox Valley Food Bank
Our Modified Shopping Model
In addition to our outside surplus produce area, clients can choose fruits, vegetables, protein and dairy options each week. This allows people to make choices that better meet their family’s dietary needs. We do our best to provide gluten free, vegetarian, non-diary options, and basic goods, like toilet paper and period products, when available.
We’ve Made Some Changes
We are now offering food hampers Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Clients are still limited to one hamper per month. The other three weeks of the month, clients are welcome to top up with fruit, vegetables, dessert, bread, and other basic goods.
Thank You
We are very grateful to the members of our community who have donated food and money, and provided equipment to reduce food insecurity in the Comox Valley. Your generosity has enabled the Food Bank to continue to provide an essential service to those in need during very uncertain times. Read more.
Helping those in need, from Cook Creek to Oyster River, for more than 30 years.
The Comox Valley Food Bank distributes free supplementary food to people in need. As a non-profit organization committed to reducing hunger since 1983, the CVFB gathers food and cash donations to support food distribution and collection programs.
The CVFB reaches a wide range of urban and rural populations in the Comox Valley, from Oyster River in the North to Cook Creek in the South, including Hornby and Denman Island residents.
The need for supplementary food continues to grow in the community, as reflected by the record number of clients accessing services each month. The CVFB continues to strive towards distributing larger quantities of items in food hampers, better quality food, fresh produce, and healthy children’s snacks.
Volunteer hours in 2022
Local visits every month
%
Of those we feed are children
Our Mission
To relieve poverty by operating a food bank that distributes supplemental food and other necessities to persons with low income.
Our Vision
A hunger-free future: neighbours helping neighbours to offer superior client service.
Working with the Comox Valley community, our partners, and relevant stakeholders to reduce social issues that arise from food insecurity and poverty.
Our Values
Progressive, community minded team players, with a strong desire to “give back” by making supplemental food available to those experiencing food insecurity;
Inspire, empower, and create value and opportunities for our members, employees, volunteers and clients;
Building sustainable partnerships and fundraising procedures;
Developing a sustainable, dynamic organizational structure;
Promoting effective public awareness and education;
Seeking long-term solutions to hunger and food insecurity.
Operations
The Comox Valley Food Bank is located at 1255 McPhee Avenue in Courtenay. We have plenty of room to accommodate all of the clients, volunteers and donors in a central location. Since purchasing and moving to this larger facility in the fall of 2022, the program has benefited from more service options, including a modified shopping model. With the larger facility, the CVFB is able to purchase things in bulk, at a better price point, and accommodate store donations and food purchases. The space also allows for more engagement with on-site community involvement, which fosters participatory learning about the programs.
Long-Term Plans
For the future, the CVFB would like to continue expanding the outreach program to offer hands-on educational tours to school classes, special interest groups and clubs involved in community food security and waste reduction projects, fundraisers and events. We are also in the process of renovating the kitchen space to create a Community Kitchen that can be used by local groups and organizations working to offer a healthy meal or cooking lessons. If you have ideas that align with our vision, mission, and values, please reach out for a conversation. We believe in the power of hard-working, compassionate people looking to make life a little easier for their neighbours.
Volunteer or make a donation
Reduce Hunger By Getting Involved Today!
We acknowledge that the Comox Valley Food Bank is located and provides services on the unceded traditional territories of the K'ómoks First Nations, the original stewards of this land.
How You Can Help
Donate
You can make a donation during public business hours or directly online.
We accept fresh and non-perishable food items during business hours. More details available on our Donate page.
Volunteer
Comox Valley Food Bank has a core team of 20-25 volunteers who are the heart and soul of the organization. And we have fun! If you would like to volunteer, please contact us. See the Volunteer page for more information.
GROW
Our “Grow a Row” program encourages Comox Valley residents to consider the CVFB when they are planning, planting or harvesting their gardens. Your surplus of fresh produce can make a big difference to our clients.