Nanaimo food bank launches $750,000 donation match for warehouse

Loaves and Fishes, a Nanaimobased food bank serving communities across Vancouver Island and the south coast of British Columbia, has launched a donation match campaign to help finish its new warehouse. The Tom Harris Foundation will match donations up to $750,000 over the next 24 months, with the aim of helping the organization raise the remaining $1.5 million it says it needs to complete the project without taking on a large loan or mortgage. Executive director Peter Sinclair said the expanded warehouse would allow the food bank to distribute more food and avoid added operating costs that could limit programs. Local leaders in places such as Port Hardy say the extra capacity could improve access to food in remote communities as grocery prices remain high.