Langley Food Bank

The property where the Sources Langley Food Bank has been operating for over four years has been sold—and unless we can find a new location in the next two months, we’ll be homeless.

“We found out at the end of January that we have to be out by April 30, but we have nowhere to go,” said Denise Darrell, Executive Director of Community Services at Sources Community Resources Society (SOURCES). “This weighs heavy on us. We feel very connected to this community and we feel a responsibility to the people we serve. Last quarter, more than 1,100 people came to us for help – 41 per cent of them are children.”

Currently located in the basement of the United Church on 200 Street, staff have been looking for a suitable space to rent for the past 18 months, but it has been a challenge. “The property owners we’ve spoken to don’t want to lease to a Food Bank, but we are much more than that,” Darrell said.

“We want to dispel any doubts about having us as a tenant. We are responsible, we can pay rent and we are a good neighbour.”

The Sources Langley Food Bank is a program of SOURCES, a not-for-profit organization that has been providing help and hope to individuals and families in need since 1978. Beyond food distribution, the Sources Langley Food Bank has an Advocate on site to assist people with housing, income supports, mental health, and more. Our clientele include children, adults, seniors, refugees, newcomers, and other citizens of Langley City, Langley Township and Aldergrove.

“They are our accredited member food bank in Langley,” said Laura Lansink, Executive Director of Food Banks BC. “When we asked SOURCES to open a Food Bank here in 2014, we knew they would operate it with integrity and remain low-barrier, providing those that come for help with not just food, but also dignity. They’ve done that. I hope they find a space soon, because without them, there will be hundreds of Langley community members who will go hungry.”

“We’re all about helping the community, and now we’re asking for their help in our time of need,” Darrell added.

If you can help, please contact Denise at ddarrell@sourcesbc.ca. We are looking for:

(1) 4,000-6,000 sq. ft. space that has warehousing (for food storage) and a storefront (for food distribution)
(2) Some parking for two delivery trucks, social workers and clients
(3) A three-year term
(4) Budget of $3,500 to $6,000 per month

DID YOU KNOW?

• Sources Community Resources Society manages a budget of over $22 million
• Sources Community Resources Society delivers services out of 20 locations
• Sources Langley Food Bank are members of the Langley Chamber of Commerce and the Langley Healthier Community Partnership Steering Council
• Sources Langley Food Bank supports Ishtar Women’s Resource Society, the Langley Youth Hub, Langley School District Foundation and several schools’ breakfast and backpack programs

WANT TO ARRANGE A MEDIA INTERVIEW?

Please contact Tiffany at 604-542-7593 (office) or 778-877-8068 (cell) or email tkwong@sourcesbc.ca

MEDIA COVERAGE

• Langley Food Bank says thousands could be impacted if they don’t find a new home – News 1130
• Sources Langley food bank struggles to find new home – Langley Times
• Irony – Sources Langley Food Bank On Verge Of Becoming Homeless – Fraser Valley News
• ‘People do go hungry’: Langley food bank fears the worst as it faces eviction – Global News and News at 6
• ‘It’s very desperate’: Langley food bank struggles to find new home – Global News
• Pulse Mornings with Jaye Murray from Sources Langley Food Bank – Needing a New Home – 107.7 PULSE FM
• Sources Langley Food Bank can’t find a home – Aldergrove Star