Due to high demand and limited space, the Sooke Food Bank will construct a new facility adjacent to the Sooke Baptist Church on West Coast Road.
The food bank currently operates out of the basement of the Sooke Community Hall on Eustace Road, assisting more than 748 families and individuals each month.
Executive director Kim Metzger said the facility’s strong demand and busy operations have outgrown its current location.
“Last year, I could tell you that one-third of new residents in Sooke turned to the food bank, and right now, especially if you’re seeking affordable housing, we’ve probably met,” she said.
Metzger added that the demand for the food bank’s services is so high that she often returns to the facility in the evenings to assist clients who cannot visit during the daytime.
The Sooke Baptist Church has offered land for the new food bank in front of Grace Gardens.
The new building will encompass 4,000 square feet and consist of two storeys. The top floor will house offices for service providers, while the ground floor will be dedicated to the food bank.
There will still be an open area outside where clients can collect food donations and connect with other service providers, including public health nurses and social workers. The building could also serve as a public safety facility.
Metzger noted that this new facility will enable the food bank to expand its hours of operation, allowing for daily service and one evening a week.
Although work on the architectural plans for the new facility has already commenced, the construction process is pending the submission to the District of Sooke and approval of building permits.
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