News

Share joy, dignity, and good food this holiday season

Fernwood Neighbourhood House’s annual holiday fundraiser is back this season to support the community in the new year. The Gift of Good Food runs from the last week of November until December 31 with the goal of raising funds to ensure year-long food access programs continue, including the delivery of boxes with fresh fruits and vegetables for families in Greater Victoria, weekly community meals, snacks for kids, and much more. This year, the goal is to raise $150,000—and your help is needed!

Food Banks Canada reports that food insecurity rates in British Columbia have almost doubled since 2019. “Food is vital to well-being, connection, and joy. Dignified food access allows an individual to not only survive but to thrive,” said Salma Ihsan, Director of Community Programs at Fernwood Neighbourhood House. “Donating to the Gift of Good food helps us break down the barrier of food insecurity and enables our community to flourish.”

Through donations—along with the dedication and combined efforts of partner organizations, staff, and volunteers—the Gift of Good Food ensures dignified access to nutritious food for those in need, offering bags of fresh fruits and vegetables through the Good Food Box program, which minimizes stigma by providing these produce boxes without differentiating between paying customers and those receiving it for free. Donika, a Gift of Good Food recipient, shared the joy her family experiences from the Good Food Boxes: “We call it our lucky week every time we get it—fresh produce and always some fruits for the kids to eat on the way home.”

“With rising food prices, we are seeing more and more need for affordable food for everyone, especially families, so I’m crossing all my fingers that we reach our fundraising goal so we can keep pumping out as much fresh food as we can next year!”- Jess, Fernwood Neighbourhood House’s Food Security Coordinator.

Funds raised also support year-round programming at Fernwood Neighbourhood House, including weekly community meals that foster connection and conversation, as well as meals and snacks for families, seniors, youth, and children across programming. Additionally, the Gift of Good Food partners with local neighbourhood houses and community centers across the region to provide Good Food Boxes for families they serve and expand food access efforts across the region.

“I am a senior. This is very important for my social health.” – Community meal participant

“The community centre is such a central part of our lives now that it’s hard to imagine our lives without it. We’ve made many friends, and it has become a welcome and supportive fixture in our lives.” – Program participant

“Accessible food and hot meals for everyone. We enjoy sharing space with folks that we might not otherwise get to meet.” – Community meal participant

As we head into the end of 2025, Fernwood Neighbourhood House is calling on the community to step up and support their neighbours in need. Whether through a donation, a bid in the online auction, or a grassroots fundraising effort, every contribution helps ensure that our neighbours feel the support of their community, not only during this holiday season but throughout 2026.

To support The Gift of Good Food, donate today at thegiftofgoodfood.ca.