Campbell River Food Bank's History

An informational poster titled “The Founding of the Campbell River Food Bank,” featuring a history of the organization’s establishment alongside several historical photographs and newspaper clippings.

A community coming together

The Campbell River Food Bank began with a shared concern: people in our community needed reliable access to food. Local churches, volunteers and community leaders came together to help, laying the foundation for an organization that would serve Campbell River and the surrounding district.

From those early conversations to the food drives and fundraising efforts that followed, our story has always been shaped by people willing to lend a hand.

Two newspaper photos showing members of the Knights of Columbus and Boston Pizza presenting $2,000 cheques to the Campbell River Food Bank.
Vicky McNeil of Ocean Pacific presents a $530 donation to George and Ann Minosky of the Campbell River Food Bank.
A 1988 newspaper clipping featuring a portrait of Shirley Aikman, with a profile box detailing her personal information and an article titled “Great Walk helps hungry” about a local food bank fundraiser.
Display board for the Campbell River Food Bank featuring a list of past managers, a history of locations, and mounted newspaper clippings about their fundraising and services.
A poster board displays photos of Campbell River Food Bank staff and volunteers engaging in various activities, with text encouraging donations of fresh garden produce.
A tri-fold display board featuring photographs and text about the Campbell River Food Bank, including images of volunteers, donated goods, and a message encouraging garden donations.
A display board featuring photos of a grocery store, a man posing in front of produce, and various company logos including Costco, Thrifty Foods, and Walmart, with “Thank You” text written on the side.
A display board featuring three newspaper clippings about community food drives, with a handwritten note in the top right corner stating the organization’s official incorporation and charitable dates.
A newspaper clipping featuring a photograph of a man handing a check to a woman, with a headline below titled “Get Ready to Fill the Food Bank.”
Display board featuring a Campbell River Mirror newspaper clipping about a local Legion donating to charities, surrounded by photos of people celebrating near Christmas trees.
A display board featuring several photos of people wearing festive holiday sweaters and hats, set in a warehouse environment with stacked storage boxes.
A man and a woman wearing Christmas-themed elf hats stand in front of a news article about the Campbell River Food Bank’s new client-choice shopping model.
A collection of three newspaper clippings from the Campbell River Mirror featuring articles and photos about local community and charity events.
Newspaper clippings about a salmon farmers’ community BBQ, including photos of event booths, attendees, and a virtual reality exhibit.
A newspaper article titled “MLA calls for bus stop at food bank” featuring a photo of Campbell River Food Bank executive director Joanne Watson standing in front of shelves of food.
Two photos on a wall: on the left, a man in a beret sitting in an office chair; on the right, a smiling man wearing a festive Christmas-themed tie.

How it all began

The idea for a local food bank grew out of discussions within the Campbell River Ministerial Association, where the need for a coordinated response to hunger was first identified.

An early contribution from the Vancouver United Way helped turn that idea into action. Approximately $3,300 was made available to establish a food bank in Campbell River. Reverend John Wood and Reverend Dick Hunt held the funds in trust, ready to transfer them to the newly formed Campbell River and District Food Bank Society.

Building the foundation

Throughout February and March, an organizing committee met weekly to plan how the Food Bank would operate. These meetings helped establish the Society’s structure, responsibilities and approach to serving the community.

On March 28, a public meeting formally established the Campbell River and District Food Bank Society. Those attending adopted its constitution and bylaws and elected a board of directors.

With initial funding secured and an organizational foundation in place, the Society began its work supporting people facing food insecurity.

Supported by the community

The photographs and newspaper clippings preserved from our history reflect the many ways Campbell River has supported its Food Bank.

Food and toy drives, workplace collections, fundraising campaigns and contributions from local businesses brought people together around a common purpose. Volunteers gave their time, businesses shared their resources, and residents donated what they could.

Each contribution helped build on the work of the founders and strengthen the Food Bank’s connection to the community.

Continuing the commitment

Today, the Campbell River Food Bank carries forward the commitment that inspired its beginnings: helping people access food with care and compassion.

We are grateful to the founders, volunteers, donors, local churches, businesses and community partners whose generosity has shaped our history—and to everyone helping write its next chapter.