Appendix I - Short-term Hunger Relief Programs

Food Bank

The Trout Lake Community Centre hosts a weekly food bank depot run by the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society. It is aimed at families, couples and singles. People can choose only one depot to attend once a week, ideally the one in their neighbourhood. Depots are closed during the last full week of the month when government assistance cheques are issued.

Below is a snapshot of one day at the depot from June 2007, broken down by age.

0-5 years of age: 41
6-17 years of age: 69
18-25 years of age: 15
26-65 years of age: 224
65+ : 95
Total: 445

It can be seen from the stats that a significant percentage (21%) of food bank visitors are seniors even though this depot is not geared towards this demographic. During the recent (Summer 07) civic strike the community centre was closed making it necessary for patrons to visit an alternative depot at a non-city run facility outside of the immediate neighbourhood.

Drop-in programs serving food

  • Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House - 4065 Victoria Drive
    • Seniors Supper Club on Wednesdays
    • Family Night on Thursdays
    • First Nations Family Night on Tuesdays
  • Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House – 800 East Boradway
    • seniors lunches, community lunches, multicultural lunches
  • Trout Lake Community Centre – 3350 Victoria Drive
    • Lunch – Last Tuesday of every month.
  • Wilson Heights United Church - 1634 East 41st Avenue
    • Community Meal - Thursday
  • Salvation Army, Community and Family Services – 3213 Fraser Street
    • Free breakfast. M-W-F
    • Various meal programs throughout the week
    • Supply groceries to in-need families with children 3 times throughout the year.

Special needs meal providers – Delivery

Download this pdf from Vancouver Coastal Health for more details.