B.C. is getting more food hubs.
As part of a July 19 tour of Campbell River, B.C. Premier David Eby stopped by Laichwiltach Family Life Society.
Along with provincial Social Development and Poverty Reduction Minister Sheila Malcolmson and North Island MLA Michele Babchuk, Eby announced an investment of $7.5 million toward to United Way British Columbia for more affordable food hubs.
Eby stressed the importance of putting money into community programs, with the pitfalls that are out of the hands of the public, such as inflation, supply chain issues and climate emergencies.
B次元官网网址淓veryone in this province deserves access to healthy food,B次元官网网址� said Eby while he chopped vegetables for an onlooking crowd in the kitchen and surrounded by members of B.CB次元官网网址檚 United Way and Laichwiltach Family Life Society workers. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 hard for a lot of families, a lot of people like seniors right now. With impacts such as global inflation, weB次元官网网址檙e seeing it at the grocery store especially.B次元官网网址�
As part of this funding, $100,000 will be donated to food hubs, such as the Strathcona Food hub of which Laichwiltach Family Life Society is a member of, for the next four years. The goal is to double the number of food hubs across the province, from 20 to 40. It will also assist in the implementation of a B次元官网网址渇ood link,B次元官网网址� an app that connects food needs of non-profit partners and clients to local, regional and small-scale food organizations and suppliers, while mobilizing volunteers to transport food.
Malcolmson said that the lessons of the global-wide COVID-19 pandemic brought attention to the importance of working on common goals to help those struggling in B.C.
B次元官网网址淲e got through the pandemic by working together,B次元官网网址� said Malcolmson. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 really evidenced in a place like this. ThatB次元官网网址檚 why in partnership with United Way, our government and hubs like this are what we want to continue to get that work done.B次元官网网址�
After the announcement, Eby was shown the dining room, where he met with First Nations elders and fielded questions. Malcolmson and Eby were then brought into the gymnasium, where Shawn Decaire did a drum ceremony welcoming the premier and minister to Campbell River, as well as leading the crowd in a rendition of Happy Birthday in honour of EbyB次元官网网址檚 upcoming birthday, which falls on July 21, before having lunch.
