The first half of 2025 has been a season of transformation for the Kimberley Helping Hands Food Bank. With a bold vision and dedicated community support, the organization has taken significant steps forward — enhancing services, increasing sustainability, and laying the groundwork for a stronger, more connected future.
“It’s been a busy first half of 2025 from a lot of different perspectives, which has kept things very interesting,” said Operations Manager Thom Tarte. “We’ve had facility projects, working on new partnerships, developing programming—there’s been a lot going on, and the momentum is exciting.”
In addition the organization — in particular board members — has also prioritized internal development.
“We’ve been heavily invested in policy and procedure development as part of a nationwide initiative, Standards of Excellence, put forward by Food Banks Canada,” said Board President Barry Cummins “It’s about strengthening our foundation so can be more effective and continue to grow in a sustainable and responsible way.”
Community Kitchen and Creative Space
At the core of this year’s progress is the completion of a fully equipped community kitchen. This bright, welcoming space is designed not only for the preparation of nutritious meals, but also as a hub for education, collaboration, and community engagement.
The City of Kimberley and the Kimberley and District Community Foundation provided crucial funding for this project, while Jim Webster and Friends made a generous contribution to its development. Additional support came from the RDEK, helping to ensure the kitchen was fully operational. A joint application to the Farm Credit Canada AgriSpirit Fund — submitted in partnership with the Kimberley Food Recovery Depot—played a pivotal role in funding the kitchen, while also supporting the Depot’s own parallel efforts to reduce food waste and enhance local food security.
The kitchen’s completion also reflects a heavy investment of volunteer hours and community commitment. From organizing and supporting logistics to contributing directly to physical construction, volunteers played an essential role in turning vision into reality—demonstrating once again the heart and strength of the Kimberley community.
“Our kitchen has been a long process — lots of pieces had to come together,” Tarte said. “We can now explore, among other things, offering cooking classes, food safety training, and communal meal programs that bring people together. It’s about nourishment in every sense — food, dignity, and connection. Not to mention, we’re really excited about the potential for deeper collaboration with the Food Recovery Depot.”
Second-Floor Space Fosters Learning and Leadership
Directly above the lobby, a new second floor conference room and learning space has been constructed. This multi-use area provides space for board meetings, volunteer training, workshops, and collaboration with community partners. The creation of this space was supported by the City of Kimberley and the RDEK’s REDI Grant, which were instrumental in bringing this vision to life. Just as vital again was the sweat equity and skilled contributions of dedicated food bank volunteers, who invested countless hours of hands-on work to help complete the project. The new space opens the door to expanded support services for clients.
Growing More Than Food: The Expanded Garden Season
This spring marked another successful and expanded season for the Food Bank’s community vegetable garden. With more beds planted and increased volunteer participation, the garden is providing fresh, local produce to clients.
“This little garden has become something symbolic,” said Garden Coordinator Wilma Harding. “Each seed we plant represents hope, care, and the idea that even small acts can grow into something meaningful. It’s a reminder that community is built one small step at a time.”
The garden has also become a learning ground. Volunteers have gained valuable hands-on experience and benefited from the generous advice and tips shared by knowledgeable members of the community. Schoolchildren from McKim Middle School have been participating as well, lending their energy and curiosity to planting and tending the beds—helping foster a new generation of gardeners.
The food bank hopes to have clients picking their own vegetables again this year, further strengthening the connection between people and the food they eat. The garden expansion was made possible with support from Top Crop Too, ensuring the Food Bank can continue its focus on local food security and sustainable practices.
“Not a lot of people know we have a garden back here,” said active board member Dexter McArthur. “But when people find out, they’re usually quite interested. When it’s the middle of gardening season, it’s a beautiful little spot, and a symbol of potential.”
New Revenue Through Strategic Land Leasing
In a move to strengthen long-term financial sustainability, the Food Bank has leased a portion of its land to BC transit buses (PW Transit) and local tourism and accommodation company Simply Kimberley.
“Once again another example of a lot of volunteer hours and support from local businesses with heavy machinery to get the raw land to a point where it was developed enough to serve a purpose for us,” said Tarte.
This new partnership brings in much-needed revenue while making efficient use of underutilized property.
“This was a creative, community-friendly solution,” said treasurer Louise Welsh. “It allows us to diversify funding sources without compromising our mission.”
Food Banks Canada Standards of Excellence
There has been months of diligent work by food bank board with the Food Banks Canada Standards of Excellence, a comprehensive and modernized framework of policies and procedures. The standards guide everything from food safety and governance to equity and client service.
“Working though the Standards was a huge undertaking,” said Tarte “But now we operate with even greater professionalism and accountability, which ultimately means better service for the people who count on us.”
Supporting Volunteer Coordination
Through a two-year grant from the Kimberley and District Community Foundation via the Vancouver Foundation, the Food Bank has been able to establish a Volunteer Coordinator position in collaboration with Kimberley Food Recovery. This joint position will help streamline volunteer efforts between the two organizations, fostering greater coordination and enhancing community engagement.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to be a part expanding the food bank’s volunteer-driven initiatives,” said Volunteer Coordinator Emma Watson. “By working together with Kimberley Food Recovery, we can optimize our impact and ensure that our volunteers are supported, appreciated, and effective in their roles.”
A Community-Wide Effort
None of these achievements would be possible without the generous support of local donors, volunteers, and partner organizations. Over 2,000 volunteer hours were logged in the first half of 2025 alone, reflecting the deep commitment of community members who give their time, energy, and heart to the Food Bank’s mission.
“The level of volunteer commitment has been extraordinary,” said Watson. “People are showing up week after week to sort food, pack hampers, support programs, and lend a hand wherever it’s needed. But as demand continues to grow, so does our need for support.”
With the steep rise in the cost of living, the Food Bank has seen a significant increase in hamper requests and new clients. Rising food prices and economic pressures are pushing more families to seek help, making ongoing donations—both financial and in-kind—more important than ever.
“Continued community involvement is essential to ensure the Food Bank can meet this increasing need while maintaining the quality and dignity of its services,” said Tarte.
Looking Ahead: Focused Growth and Regional Impact
As the second half of 2025 begins, the Kimberley Helping Hands Food Bank is turning its attention to strategic growth—deepening partnerships, expanding engagement, exploring new outreach to better reach underserved clients all while diversifying it’s funding base. With stronger internal systems the organization is well-positioned to respond to growing community needs.
“We’ve come a long way in a short time,” said Cummins. “Now it’s about building on that progress—staying responsive, staying connected, and continuing to deliver essential support.”
One thing is clear: this is more than a food bank — it’s a catalyst for change, and a place where hope takes root.
