Tag Archives: Cortes Food Bank

Northern B.C. struggling with social issues, Salvation Army says

Editor’s note: While this report is from a northern city, the problems are province wide. As of November 30, the Cortes Island Food Bank is not even half way towards its goal of raising $25,000. However there has been a 14-fold-increase in the number of clients since October 2022. According to Food Banks BC, there has been a 57% increase of usage across the province and a 30% drop in donations. Recent Point In Time counts in Campbell River, the Comox Valley, Powell River and the Sunshine Coast show a marked increase in the number of homeless people, and the #1 cause cited by respondents is insufficient incomes.

By Tom Summer, Alaska Highway News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Residents in the Peace are struggling with inflation – food prices, fuel, rent and mortgage increases and more – as the Fort St. John Salvation Army starts its 2023 Christmas kettle campaign.

The organization operates at a few locations in Fort St. John – running a food bank, a thrift store, and transitional housing at the Northern Centre of Hope. Forty residents are supported through transitional housing and 32 tenants live in supportive housing at the centre. 

Inflation and rising food costs have been a notable challenge in the past year, says Executive Director Jared Braun, in addition to rising fuel costs at the pump, mortgage increases, rent increases, and more. 

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SRD Approved all but one of Cortes Island’s Grants in Aid

Editor’s note: The following report consists of highlights from a segment of the SRD Board Meeting of Nov 22, 2023. 

The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board approved all but one of Cortes Island’s 2023 Grant-in Aid applications. It was a long, often confusing, debate. The SRD Board denied the Cortes Island Academy’s application because, as Chief Administration Officer (CAO) David Leitch explained “this Grant in Aid is in contradiction to our policy in terms of awarding money to other senior levels of government.” The Board initially granted the other Cortes applications, then seemed on the verge of rescinding them. Their decision to pass most of the applications was followed by a motion to change the manner in which Grants-in-Aid are processed.

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A Blueprint for Cortes Island’s future: Why the Conversation Cafes are important

The Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA) is hosting an in-person community discussion with Cortes Island’s small businesses in the Pioneer Room at Mansons Hall on Thursday Sept 14, 2023. 

This is the first in a series of 6 ‘Conversation Cafes’ meant to update Cortes Island’s Local Economic Action Plan (LEAP) in an inexpensive way. 

 “Our Local Economic Action Plan is five years out of date,” said Kate Maddigan, CCEDA’s Economic Development Officer.  

Continue reading A Blueprint for Cortes Island’s future: Why the Conversation Cafes are important

Cortes Island Food Bank sees clients double, issues spring appeal for donations

By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

The Cortes Island Food Bank has seen a doubling in the number of regular clients since last year, according to food bank treasurer Filipe Figueira. He says the total now stands at about 20 individuals, compared with seven to 10 last year.

Continue reading Cortes Island Food Bank sees clients double, issues spring appeal for donations

The Cortes and Quadra Island Food Banks in a time of rising prices and declining real wages

Amanda Smith, of the Quadra Island Food Bank emailed, “Obviously our buying power has diminished across the board due to inflationary pressures. Increases for fruits and vegetables and eggs have been most disturbing. Our vegetable choices are now largely governed by price. 2022 saw a 35% increase over 2021 for the number of hampers distributed. The number of hampers distributed so far in 2023 is markedly higher than 2022 and there is no relief in sight. Every distribution this year has registered new first-time users.”

Samantha Statton, President of the Cortes Island Food Bank, reported a rise of about 15%. 

Continue reading The Cortes and Quadra Island Food Banks in a time of rising prices and declining real wages