Loaves and Fishes Food Bank is the hub of Food Banks BC on Vancouver Island. Together with their community partners, Loaves and Fishes supports over 15,000 people in more than 44 communities, including 15 Indigenous communities, across Vancouver Island — providing food free of charge. With their Recovery Program, Loaves and Fishes diverts surplus food that would have otherwise been wasted, instead distributing it to those in need. We talked to Executive Director Peter Sinclair to learn more.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Loaves and Fishes Food Bank is committed to making the abundance of food that exists accessible to those who need it most. We operate a large-scale food recovery program across Vancouver Island. Food is distributed through our Free Food Markets in Nanaimo, Port McNeill, Port Hardy, and Port Alice, and through hamper deliveries in Woss and Sointula. Additionally, we supply food to over 100 non-profit organizations across the BC Coast — from Victoria to Haida Gwaii. Our goal is to fight hunger through efficient, large-scale, community-based food distribution systems.
What problem does it aim to solve?
We aim to solve the problem of people not having reliable access to the food they need to thrive.
When did you start/join it?
I began serving as Executive Director in 2011.
What made you want to get involved?
I believe we have a responsibility to use what we’ve been given, whether that be our intellect, talent and education, to serve others. I have been blessed with so much and I want to ensure the blessing I have received is multiplied as a blessing to others. My focus has always been on doing what I can to make a difference, rather than waiting for others to act.
What was the situation like when you started?
When I began, Loaves and Fishes had just three paid staff, a handful of volunteers, and was focused solely on Nanaimo. Food hampers were pre-packed with five non-perishable items, and milk was only distributed every two weeks. We operated out of a 600-square-foot dilapidated shed.
How has it changed since?
We’ve dramatically scaled our impact. Today, we recover food from 45 grocery stores across the Island and distribute it widely through Free Food Markets and partner agencies. Our reach now extends from Victoria to Haida Gwaii. We’re also in the final stages of constructing a new 24,000-square-foot warehouse, set to open in spring 2026, which will allow us to serve even more people, more efficiently.
What more needs to be done?
We are working toward:
Ensuring every charitable organization on the BC Coast has access to the food they need. To this end, we are implementing an online ordering system to allow our partner agencies to view available inventory in real-time, order what they need, and have it delivered directly to them.
Establishing Loaves & Fishes Free Food Markets in every community that requires one. We are open to working with any community that thinks it would benefit from having a Loaves and Fishes Free Food Market. This can be done through working with existing food providers or helping set up a new food program.
Being ready to source and distribute large-scale food donations from Vancouver Island and beyond. Our new warehouse opening in the spring of 2026 will go a long way to meeting this opportunity.
Achieving consistent, reliable, 7-day-a-week food recovery from every major grocery store on the Island. We are always looking for more grocery stores that want a simple, cost-effective way to responsibly dispose of surplus food. It is simple, easy and best of all: no cost.
How can our readers help?
Visit www.vifoodbank.org to sign up for a volunteer shift. If you’re planning a trip to the Island, consider joining us for a shift — you’ll see firsthand the impact we’re making together.
Do you have any events coming up?
We regularly host volunteer days and food distribution events. The best way to stay informed is to follow us online and sign up for our newsletter.
Where can we follow you?
Website | Facebook | Instagram
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul on Vancouver Island is doing incredible work. Through our partnership, we’re able to deliver food to remote communities like Gold River, Tahsis, and Kyuquot — places that are often overlooked but have real needs.
