About the Campbell River Food Bank
The Campbell River and District Food Bank Society was born in 1985 when, due to the economic downturn, people found themselves needing help to feed their families and themselves.
Neighbour Helping Neighbour
The Ministerial Committee and other caring community people met and with the gift of a Grant from the Vancouver United Way, the Food Bank began to distribute groceries in the spirit of ‘Neighbour Helping Neighbour”.
The spirit continues, and our community has graciously responded with gifts of food, money and grants for specific needs and encouragement.
The Food Bank is a Charitable Society with an elected Board of Directors and is totally dependent on these donations, plus a host of volunteers who love to serve. Approximately 2,000 people receive nutritional help per month, and although the Food Bank had expected to be temporary, the need continues to grow. We the “neighbours” who manage and operated the Food Bank are thankful indeed to everyone in our Community whose kindness supports this part of our Community life.
Joanne (Jo) Watson
Manager, CR Food Bank
Joanne Watson has a 30 year food service connection with our community, including 23 years as a Culinary Arts Supervisor with North Island College, and 20 years teaching Food Safe. In her current roles as Kitchen Manager of the Hem'?aelas Community Kitchen and Director of the Campbell River Food Bank, Joanne works tirelessly to foster food security in our region. For the second year in a row, Joanne was honoured with the City of Campbell River's Stewardship Award for creating a Gleaning Station at the Food Bank. In partnership with the Greenways Land Trust, gleaning rescues thousands of kilos of fruit each year from the landfill and diverts it back into the community where it’s needed most. In 2023 Joanne was honoured with the distinguished Dr Phil Minnaar Memorial Award for outstanding achievement in community service.
Sandra Rushton
Assistant Manager CR Food Bank
- River City Inclusion – Director 2020 – Present
- DayBreak Rotary Past Present 2017/2018
- DayBreak Rotarian 2000-present
- Hospice - Volunteer and fund- raising Soul Cycler 2018-present
- Retired Banker Manager CIBC
- CR Storm volunteer
I Moved to Campbell River 18 years ago, I transferred here with CIBC as Branch Manager, I retired from Banking in 2015. I worked for a local investment firm 2015 until 2017 part time to ease into retirement, and discovered I am not ready to retire but discovered that I was looking for a career change. Worked very part time for Hospice and volunteered, cycling with the Soul Cyclers to fund raise for hospice. I sit on the Board of Directors for River City Inclusion from 2019 – present. I joined Rotary 23 years ago and am proud of the work Rotarians accomplish. Started working as the Assistant Manager, at the food Bank Nov 1/22. I met my husband Mike here in Campbell River, We each have 2 Adult Children, 8 Grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. My husband Mike and I Co-owned the CR Storm hockey team for a number of years, and now happily continue as volunteers.
