Nanaimo's Festival of Trees to raise money for food bank as demand soars

At Woodgrove Mall in Nanaimo, local businesses in the community have come together to raise funds for the Loaves and Fishes food bank. 

Inland Truck and Equipment, the Nanaimo Clippers hockey club and Woodgrove Mall are teaming up to put on the Festival of Trees, which runs through to Dec. 8, where 10 decorated trees are put on display at the mall — and put up for auction, with all proceeds raised going to the food bank.

Each tree has been sponsored and decorated by a local business or organization, with accompanying gifts. Trees are being auctioned on the Nanaimo Clippers website. 

It started with an idea from Inland Truck and Equipment, says general manager Desmond Reardon, who approached the others with an idea to bring the community together for the holidays. 

"The first thing that came to mind is family, and how family takes care of family," said Reardon, also one of the event organizers.

"The importance here again is to show everyone that we're here as a family to support the community and to promote that you don't have to struggle alone."

For the Woodgrove Centre and Nanaimo Clippers, it was a no-brainer to get involved. 

"It's one of our key pillars to give back to this community that gives so much to us as a hockey team," said Robb Hunter, director of business operations with the Clippers. 

Demand at all-time high: Food Banks B.C.

The fundraiser comes at a time when the food bank is seeing record numbers. 

Across the province, food banks are seeing 21 per cent more people in 2023 compared to 2022, according to Food Banks B.C. In rural communities the increase in clients is 32 per cent.

According to Abby Sauchuk, director of development at Loaves and Fishes Food Bank in Nanaimo, they have seen a 34-per-cent increase in the number of people using their service compared to last year. The number of visits is up 41 per cent. 

She says the food bank anticipates 7,000 people will benefit from a Christmas hamper — the most they've ever anticipated. 

Planning for Christmas has been underway since August to keep up with the demand, she adds.

"The community donations go toward keeping the lights on and the food flowing in this place," said Sauchuk. "We expect a lot of need this Christmas and we need help keeping up."

Sauchuk says help is needed in their warehouse as well, with volunteers needed for sorting through donations. 

Loaves and Fishes distributes food not only in Nanaimo. Currently, the non-profit says, it serves over 15,000 people in more than 30 communities, including 15 Indigenous communities, across Vancouver Island.

With community support, they've been able to keep their "everyone welcome" policy, meaning anyone can walk through the doors of the food bank — no income or address check is required for their services.

They've also been able to keep their free food market going alongside Christmas preparations. According to the organization, it's the first time they haven't paused the market — which runs seven days a week at different locations in Nanaimo — during the holiday season.

While food donations can benefit food banks, Sauchuk says they can do more with cash, and that for every dollar raised, Loaves and Fishes can translate that into over $5 worth of food.

The auction for the trees closes on Dec. 8 and can be found on the Nanaimo Clippers website. 

CBC B.C.'s Food Bank Day returns Dec. 1. Tune in to special programming on CBC Radio One, CBC Listen and cbc.ca/bc.