Clients

The Columbia Valley Food Bank was incorporated in 2000, and has since been providing access to healthy food for individuals and families from Spillimacheen to Canal Flats.

Its main activity is to provide food hampers comprised of approximately 23 lbs. per person, which is intended to provide a 5 to 7 day supply of food.

The hampers are based on and customized to the client, ranging in size from individual to 9-person.  Clients may access this service once every 30 days, although in exceptional circumstances emergency hampers may be provided.

The amount of food you receive is based on the number of people in your household.  Generally it is around 23 lbs. per person.

Phone us or email us and leave a message, and we will attempt when possible to make alternate arrangements.

The CVFB is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the afternoon.

It is housed in the new Albert Cooper Building, opened in November of 2019.  It is located at 201B 7th Ave., across for the Invermere Community Centre.

If you phone your order in to us on the day before or the morning of your visit, our volunteers will be able to put the hampers together in advance.

We understand that making the decision to come to a Food Bank can be a difficult one. You’re not alone. The CVFB serves many clients every week, of all ages and walks of life.

Our staff and volunteers work to create a positive, safe, and welcoming environment for our clients. You can expect to be welcomed, treated with patience, understanding, dignity and respect.

You will also find that we have incorporated physical distancing and other health and safety practices at our location to keep you, our staff and volunteers as safe as possible during the COVID-19 crisis.

You can expect a safe physical and emotional space.

A typical hamper contains peanut butter, canned fruit, soup, tomato paste, brown beans, kidney/assorted beans, tuna, diced tomatoes, vegetables, spaghetti sauce, tea or coffe, apple or orange juice, choice of pasta, macaroni and cheese, cereal, sugar, rice, oats, flour, crackers, bread, margarine, carrots, potatoes, onions, frozen chicken and frozen ground beef or wild meat (when available).  In addition there is a ‘help-yourself’ section in the front where other items donated to us may be chosen.

On occasions we are able to distribute milk, eggs, cheese, fresh fruit and vegetables, frozen meals, and other items donated.  SUch items are noted on the white board inside the building.

If you have students in your family, school snacks are available if requested.

At times we have access to formula, food, diapers and other items for babies.

When in stock we are able to provide pet food.

We are following the guidance of the health authorities and taking all the precautionary measures to provide a safe and healthy environment for you and for staff and volunteers, so we can continue to provide our services without interruption. We have large food distribution area to help us all practice physical distancing of 2 meters from each other, while continuing to provide food to our current and growing number of new clients.  Currently we will only have  2 clients in the building at once, the one whose hamper is being prepared and the one dealing with the coordinator for the subsequent hamper.  We ask that other clients wait outside and maintain socially distance there.

If you feel unwell or are in isolation, we ask you to please stay away from the CVFB.  Anyone who displays symptoms of cold, flu or COVID-19 will not be permitted on site. These measures protect you and others.

There are some options:

• A friend or family member can pick up your food for you, but please phone us to let us know who is coming in. You can contact us by telephone at 250-342-0850 or by email at info@columbiavalleyfoodbank.ca
• In some circumstances home delivery may be arranged, but this is not a regular practice for our volunteers.

You need to bring a piece of ID for you and other family members, such as a driver’s license, health card # etc.

If you need more help, please let us know by phoning or talking with the coordinator when you are picking up a hamper and we will provide you with information about additional food support.   We can also offer support in other areas, such as through our various community partners.

COVID-19 Protection Measures

We received new restrictions for the British Columbia Interior Region, due to which we have made important and required changes to ensure your safety as well as that of all our clients and volunteers. In response to the restrictions imposed by the BC Provincial Health Officer (PHO) on August 20, 2021 and updated on September 7, 2021, the following requirements will be in place for anybody entering the Columbia Valley Food Bank.

• Face masks must be worn at all times
• Do not arrive early
• Maximum 2 clients in the building at one time
• At this time, the food bank does NOT require proof of vaccination

We are taking many internal precautions at the CVFB including increased hand sanitizing, frequent cleaning of high-touch areas and common areas, and social distancing within the warehouse and office.