Sarah Law says she never imagined she'd need Nanaimo's Lobs and Fishes Food Bank to feed her family.
After 15 years as a nurse, everything changed when she suffered a fatal and life-changing stroke in January, forcing her to learn to walk and talk again while paying off her disability pension.
“It's becoming financially unmanageable. Just the rise in food prices is unbelievably high,” Lo told CHEK News.
The mother of two is one of a growing number of people turning to food banks across Vancouver Island as summer approaches.
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So on Tuesday, Loaves and Fishes executive director Peter Sinclair set out on a cycle ride across the island.
Joining fellow cyclists and runners, the Food for Summer food drive will visit communities from Chemainus to Port Hardy, raising awareness and donations for needs ranging from urban areas to remote island villages.
“So we wanted to go out to places like Tasith, Gold River and Zeballos and show that we're feeding all of Vancouver Island,” Sinclair told CHEK News.
Despite the drop in donations, Lobs & Fishes said demand at food banks is expected to increase over the summer, increasing by 10 to 30 percent depending on the month.
“Whatever the reason, whether it's rising prices or unemployment or any other hardship people are facing, we're there to provide food,” Sinclair said.
On Tuesday, staff from Island Savings in Nanaimo got in on the action, hosting a spin marathon to help the food bank meet summer needs.
“We know the food bank is short on funds so we're trying to raise as much money as we can,” said Nanaimo branch manager Cathy Berg.
Food bank clients like Low are struggling to make ends meet while others are preparing for the summer holidays.
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