2024 President’s Report

Presented at the March 2025 AGM:

I will once again start by thanking everyone for your service to our community. Food Banking is not glamorous work — and your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. Thank you.

2024 saw us lose some wonderful local people, two of whom I wish to acknowledge: Linda Morgan and Mike Thomas. These two are a huge loss to our community and are greatly missed. We also gained some wonderful new friends, so we are a lucky bunch.

Our new housing opened and has been a blessing and a curse. I am thankful for the safe, secure housing, but the increase in clients does have me worried. The shelter bags are proving to be more useful for clients and the food is being eaten. Our partner programs are all doing well and seeing the same increase in people that need services.

Donations, grants and fundraising increased last year by 12%. Unfortunately, costs are also up, including an increase of 26% for food alone. This was also the first year that, rather than give out food hampers for Christmas, we gave grocery gift cards to clients.

2025 will see some changes. We are taking on accreditation at the behest of Food Banks Canada, as well as changing our registration system. I would also like to investigate a “shopping model” for clients, as I believe it will decrease wait times as well as food wastage. We are also being encouraged to look into cost recovery programs (ideas that support food banks); second hand stores and food trucks were suggestions. I am also determined to get the building built this year, as well as advocating for a federal safety net for seniors and people on federally funded programs.

East Sooke Gardens has put in its very own plot for the Sooke Food Bank and is ready to go this season! Not only will we have lots of fruit from them, but also vegetables this year.

Again, it is a pleasure to serve with you.

Kim Kaldal, President
Sooke Food Bank Society