WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT THE FOOD BANK

DONATE MONEY

E-transfer directly using: cortesfoodbank@proton.me

This is the best way of donating to the food bank.

Cash/cheques

Drop off cash (in an envelope marked "Food Bank") and cheques to the Manson's Hall main office during their open hours, or to our storage shed on Fridays, located just off the Manson's Hall parking lot, near the radio station. Cheques should be made out to the Cortes Island Food Bank Association.

Cheques can also be mailed to:

Cortes Island Food Bank Association

PO Box 137, Mansons Landing, BC, V0P1K0

When you shop

You may have noticed the new BC Sharing Scan Cards at the local stores. 100% of these donations go to Cortes Island Food Bank. Get the cashier to scan the card to donate $2 when you shop.

At local stores

You can also put money directly on our account at the Cortes Natural Food Co-op, the Gorge Marina Store, or the Cortes Market.

Large donations requiring a tax-receipt

We are not able to offer a 'donate with credit card' option at this time. Thanks for your understanding!

DONATE FOOD

Like many other food banks in the region, the Cortes Island Food Bank is moving away from 'food drives' to prioritize 'fund drives.' The main reasons for this are:

To try and avoid unhealthy/unsafe food donations that could put our clients at risk.
Our food hampers are created ‘on-demand’ and we have limited storage space. It is more efficient and effective for us to acquire specific food as we need it.
We can buy more local food, supporting on-island stores and growers, as well as a better balance of nutrition, including fresh/perishable foods like eggs, milk, and meat.
As a member of Food Banks BC, we are able to leverage our regional partnerships through bulk buying and other food and budget maximizing programs.

That said, we’re still happy to accept healthy, safe food items in good condition. Here are our top requests:

Canned vegetables, fruit, fish (tuna, salmon), and beans (chickpeas, black beans, kidney beans)
Peanut butter
Pasta and pasta sauce
Rice, oats, barley, dried beans
Hearty soup, stew, chili
Small snack items (granola bars, fruit cups, applesauce)
Toiletries (feminine hygiene products, baby diapers)

If you are a local farmer or food retailer who would like to donate perishable, fresh food, such as veggies or eggs, please let us know!

VOLUNTEER WITH US

Help us source and deliver food to neighbours in need! Send us a message or give us a call to let us know what your strengths and interests are, and how you could see yourself supporting the Food Bank.

We are looking for help in the following areas:

Storage
Transportation
Distribution
Communication
Events
Fundraising

All of our volunteers will be expected to follow our policies, sign a confidentiality agreement, and receive training.

PARTNER WITH US

We are always looking for new ways to collaborate with:

food growers and retailers
nonprofits/social enterprises
health initiatives
community organizers

If you have an idea for how your organization or business can support the Food Bank, we're all ears.

We are grateful to our Food Bank BC regional partners and to our local partners, including Southern Cortes Community Association, Lane 8 Delivery, Cortes Family Services, Cortes Community Health Association, Good Libations, Meals on Wheels, Strathcona Community Health Network.