Wed. July 5 - How Victoria is trying to feed the needy

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning !

Summer’s here, bigtime. And many of us are eating up the toasty weather by doing what we Victorians do best—exploring our great outdoors.

Not to be that guy, but summertime is when food banks need your help—everyone’s so busy enjoying vacation, they forget about people in need. So the next time you’re picking up groceries, you may want to think about Bob and Janet and Bryan and Chloe and Abigail. You may not know them, but these and—many others—rely heavily on food banks in the summer.

I know food prices have become astronomically high. It’s crazy. But if you can buy a little something-something for the food banks, it sure would make a difference for Bob, Janet, Bryan, Chloe, and Abigail. And so many others.

— Mark

⛅️ Today's weather: Sunny. High 28C / low 14C.  

🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (3/10), some smoke expected over the South Island.

NEWS

How Victoria is tackling food insecurity

An ice cold drink after a hard day’s work, fresh vegetables from the local farmers market, a comfortable place to sit down and eat dinner—some people take these pleasures for granted and consider them basic needs.

But for the unhoused and the food insecure, access to any of those things is limited; and the number of people who fall into those categories is growing.

Since last summer, demand for food banks in Greater Victoria has grown by more than 25%, and UVic’s student food bank has fallen into a steep deficit as a result. An annual report from Food Banks Canada cited rising inflation and housing costs, in particular, as contributing factors in the lack of food security across the country.

It’s a tough situation, and the future may look bleak; but there are options for those in Victoria dealing with food insecurity, provided by the province, local government, and organizations.

Community Fridge Victoria, for example, recently celebrated its third anniversary. It started with a food-delivery program at the beginning of the pandemic, in response to food bank closures.

This volunteer-based organization now also provides a free fridge in the Rock Bay neighbourhood on the same property as Rock Bay Market, operating on a no-questions-asked, take-what-you-need, give-what-you-can model. Its first fridge opened in June 2021, and there are plans for more.

“We were seeing a lot of barriers going up to access free food at a time when people really needed it,” co-founder Wren Shaman told Capital Daily.

Read more about the local organizations helping tackle food insecurity and the challenges they are facing.

Capital Bulletin

🛥️ Superyacht docked in Victoria: Athos, the world’s largest privately owned two-masted schooner, has been moored at Victoria International Marina.

🚧 Construction on Keating Cross Road overpass finally begins: A project awaited for nearly 50 years is in motion, so be ready to slow down and to respond to traffic changes on the Pat Bay. The southbound on-ramp from Keating Cross Road to the highway will remain closed throughout the construction period.

🔥 Fire ban extended: Categories 1, 2, and 3 open fires and fireworks will be prohibited as of Friday.

NEWS

5 from Greater Victoria appointed to Order of Canada

The latest recipients from Greater Victoria are:

• Kathryn Moran, for her innovative leadership as a researcher, policy advisor, and administrator in ocean engineering and climate action.

• Holly Susan McNally, for advancing Canada’s literary scene through community-based programming in support of local, regional, and national independent writers and publishers.

• Paul McNally, for advancing Canada’s literary scene through community-based programming in support of local, regional, and national independent writers and publishers.

• Jeff Reading, for his groundbreaking contributions to Indigenous health research and for his leadership in bringing Indigenous perspectives to scientific and health institutions.

• Michael Wulder, for his internationally recognized innovations in the field of remote sensing for mapping and monitoring land cover.

The Order of Canada celebrates outstanding achievement, dedication, and service to the nation. It is divided into three levels: companion, officer, and member, with companion being the highest. Moran was named an officer, while the others were named members. Gov. Gen. Mary Simon announced the appointees in a news release just prior to Canada Day.

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Capital Picks

🏳️‍🌈 Queer Lives During WWI at RBCM: During Victoria Pride Week, researcher Sarah Worthman will give a talk on queer lives and persecution by the Canadian government during the First World War, 11-11:30am.

💃🏼 Experience The World’s Best Dance with a 2023/24 Dance at the Royal Series subscription. Royal Theatre Box Office: 250-386-6121 or DanceVictoria.com.*

🎹 The Bills at Butchart Gardens: The folk music band will perform on the open-air stage tonight, 8pm.

🏳️‍🌈 Queer activism night: Join the Victoria Pride Society Youth Council tonight to discuss 2SLGBTQ+ issues, 5-8pm. [Details]

😂 Comedy night at The Mint: Laugh along tonight to this week’s comedy lineup, 8-9:30pm.

🎵 Musical bingo at Darcy’s: Test your music knowledge tonight and win prizes, 8-11pm.

🍦 Ice cream shops to visit: During this week’s hot weather, enjoy a cool, refreshing treat from these these six ice cream spots.

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In Other News

🏳️‍🌈 Another Pride crosswalk vandalized in Brentwood Bay
The crosswalk near Bayside Middle School that celebrates the 2SLGBTQ+ community was covered with white spray paint between Monday night and Tuesday morning. Last week, a Pride crosswalk near Saanich’s GR Pearkes Recreation Centre was covered with black paint. [CHEK]

📟 Island supportive-housing buildings getting anti-overdose alarms
PHS-run facilities and some others will be receiving some of BC’s 2,000 LifeguardLite devices. Occupants start the timer if they are using drugs, and it calls 911 with the room location if they do not manually extend the time. [CBC]
A province-backed smartphone app with a similar timer launched in 2020, though there was debate about its effectiveness.

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In Case You Missed It

🚨 New clues about Melissa McDevitt’s disappearance: Family members are hopeful that newly uncovered GPS data will aid the search for the Victoria woman who went missing six months ago in Sea to Sea park. [Capital Daily]

📰 Tuesday’s headlines: New urban fires and wildfires, UVic champ named to Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame, maintenance delays lead to ferry cancellations, and more. [July 4 newsletter]

🚏 New bus schedule now in effect: Summer service means changes on some routes to and from UVic, and more north-south trips on the Pat Bay.

🤸 Take control of your health with a DEXA scan. Measure your body composition, bone density, and more. Book now with Tall Tree Health.*

🚧 Shelbourne still closed to traffic until July 21, from Donnelly to Pear. Cyclists, pedestrians, and cars going to businesses on that stretch can still access.

🛬 Monday’s headlines: New lower-cost airline comes to YYJ as Swoop departs. The best local patios. Province rejects environmental assessment for controversial quarry expansion. [July 3 newsletter]

💸 Federal grocery rebates start going out today. If you received a GST/HST cheque in January and you filed a tax return for 2021, you are entitled to some help to pay for food. We’re talking anywhere between $234 and $628.

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