A ride-along provides an opportunity to learn and connect

A bright voice fills the room of the A-Frame Church, “Hi! How are you doing? Are you having a good day?” The voice is accompanied by a cheerful young woman, who floats around the room like a charming sprite, encouraging everyone to smile and enjoy the day. You cannot help but smile back and take the positivity to heart.

The young woman is one of many clients at the Loaves & Fishes’ Food Market held every Wednesday at the St. John Gualbert Church in Port McNeill. We are midway through the market, and she’s brought cheer and vivacity to the space as she thanks volunteers and engages them in conversation.

A van to improve access to food in remote communities

Thanks to funding from United Way BC’s Critical Food Infrastructure Grant (CFIG), in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development & Poverty Reduction, Loaves & Fishes has an easier way to deliver food to remote North Vancouver Island communities. Using the grant to purchase a refrigerated van, they are better equipped to deliver food to communities, including holding three full food markets a week with fresh food.

The CFIG, one of several United Way BC Food Security Initiatives, plays a key role in supporting the health and well-being of British Columbians by enhancing food security. This grant helps organizations like Loaves & Fishes and others across the province improve year-round access to nourishing, culturally preferable food by funding essential infrastructure upgrades. These include food storage solutions, backup generators, refrigerated vehicles, and food preservation equipment, all of which help extend shelf life, improve food distribution, and increase storage capacity.

Because rural and remote communities like Port McNeill struggle with food insecurity, the Food Market is an important connection for the 30-40 residents who access the market. With a base in Port Hardy, Loaves and Fishes staff travel to several communities in Northern Vancouver Island to deliver food and basic necessities to those in need through food markets, banks, and hampers.

“Currently, we serve Sointula, Port Alice, Port McNeill, Woss, and Port Hardy. I think that really helps the clients because now they get that service locally and don’t have to travel,” says Josh Morgan, Loaves & Fishes North Island Operations Manager.

“From Port Hardy, our reach is increasing and we’re hoping to continue providing more and more services for more clients on the island,” enthuses Josh. His passion for what he does is evident as he speaks about their future ambitions.

A ride-along provides an opportunity to learn and connect

As a United Way BC staff member, we know the great work that is done thanks to our support and funding. It’s quite another thing, however, to participate in that work and be amidst the people whose lives we have touched even if from a distance. It’s something special and it reminds us of why we do what we do.

For me, it started early in the morning to drive four hours to Loaves & Fishes’ Harvest Building Thrift Store in Port Hardy for a ride-along. Located on a quiet street, it doesn’t stand out amidst the other shops and buildings other than the van, emblazoned with logos, and the small group of people waiting outside for the doors to open.

Josh is already busy loading the van for the trip to Port McNeill. When he finishes, he takes me on a brief tour of their space before we set off.

A thrift store and food bank to meet the needs of residents

Upon entering the store, a riot of colour surround me. Most of the clothing and other second-hand items are arrayed on shelves and hangars to the right. It’s cozy and filled to the rafters.

Behind this space lies the food bank portion of the store. Donated food items, a sorting station, and walk in freezers and refrigerators lie beyond. A local radio station provides the soundtrack as it fills the space with music, mingling with the sounds of conversation and laughter.

I’m introduced to the staff and volunteers who spend most of their days at the store. Sorting through the produce they carefully select what is usable from what will be sent to local farmers for feed. Boxes on shelves contain the items for food markets, hampers, and food bank deliveries.

Loaves & Fishes took over the thrift store when they were approached by the previous operators. “There were four individuals who were retired. They wanted their life back and asked us for help,” explains Josh. After several months of conversations, Josh, who worked for Loaves & Fishes in Nanaimo, took the opportunity to move and run the new location.

A food market that gives clients options

Arriving at the St. John Gualbert Church (colloquially named the A-Frame Church after its structure), it’s already busy as they hold their community soup luncheon. Deborah Murray, Director on the Church Board, steps out to greet us as we unload the food items from the van. She’s easily identifiable, dressed for the kitchen complete with bandana, but it is her smile and laugh that makes her presence known.

We quickly set up tables with the help of three volunteers, arranging them in sections based on the product – one for meats, one for fresh produce, and so on. The intent is to give clients a choice from each table. As Josh explains, “It is a shopping model so it allows the clients to pick the items, rather than the old model where we would give them bags. This allows them to pick the things they’re actually going to use, especially with ones who have dietary needs.”

Josh tells me that I’ve been recruited to station the table with dairy and dairy alternative products. With more volunteers on hand to help at a table the flow of clients moves easier. I take up my position and wait for the first stream of clients to start their circuit.

When the doors open to the market, the room comes alive. The bustle of people moving from table to table – all in orderly fashion – takes over and my world becomes a personal interaction with the individual standing in front of me at the table as they make their selection from this week’s offerings.

It’s a diverse group of people who access the food market. As they approach my table, some are more contemplative of their selection while others swiftly move on after a short perusal through the items.  While I’m focused on helping the clients, I notice a gentleman patiently waiting in the background.

A Church with many services

Once the clients have moved through the market, the cheerful man in the background approaches me. He’s Craig Murray, husband of Deborah, and the person who responsible for getting grants, funding, and donations for the Church.

I find out from Craig that the Church has also received Critical Food Infrastructure Grant funding, something of which he is very grateful.

On my tour, Deborah points out the window at some garden boxes, paid for by the grant. “We built new grow beds and want to add some more,” she explains. The garden boxes are neatly placed next to the building. She gestures to the rest of the lot, “We want to expand them through here. Use the space you know.” She enthusiastically points out other features both inside and outside. Her smile ever present.

The vegetables grown in the boxes support the free meal program, as well as enhances Loaves & Fishes’ food market. As part of their funding, they also hired a part-time garden manager to oversee the operations and train volunteers.

We spot Josh in the distance starting to load the van for the trip home. Before I leave, Deborah tells me how grateful they are, echoing her husband’s gratitude from earlier.

It was a whirlwind of a visit and I reflect on the day and my experience as I drive home. I smile again when I think of the cheerful young lady who brightened the room. I also remember something Josh said that encapsulates what so many of us feel.

“It’s enough to make somebody smile. You know, just assure them that there’s food and they don’t have to worry about that. It’s about making people happy.”