Cowichan Valley Basket Society seeks $1.2 million for new warehouse

Cowichan Valley Basket Society Henry Wikkerink warehouse expansion food security Build Communities Strong Fund

Executive Director Henry Wikkerink of the Cowichan Valley Basket Society has asked the North Cowichan municipality to help secure funding for a new warehouse and food‑security building on the Society’s Garden Street property in Duncan, British Columbia. The food bank currently distributes more than $120,000 worth of food each month through its hamper program and about $100,000 in free lunches, and in May handed out over 780 hampers – a record for a single month. Over the past year the amount of food recovered from grocery stores, farms and other partners has almost doubled.

The project’s total cost is estimated at roughly $1.225 million. The Society estimates it still needs to raise $600,000‑$700,000, with the balance to come from government grants, community fundraising, donations and other partnerships. The recent federal Build Communities Strong Fund could provide financial assistance, a letter of support and help with development and permit costs. Design work with an architect and engineers is under way; permits are expected within 30 days and construction could start by the end of the year if funding is secured.

Entities

Build Communities Strong Fund · Cowichan Valley Basket Society · Duncan · Henry Wikkerink · North Cowichan

Claims

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[● 3 SOURCES] Henry Wikkerink requested North Cowichan municipality support for funding a new warehouse and food‑security building on the Garden Street property in Duncan. cowichanvalleycitizen.com · peninsulanewsreview.com · pqbnews.com
[● 3 SOURCES] In May the Society distributed over 780 food hampers, the highest monthly total ever. cowichanvalleycitizen.com · peninsulanewsreview.com · pqbnews.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Over the past year the amount of food recovered from grocery stores, farms and other partners has almost doubled. cowichanvalleycitizen.com · peninsulanewsreview.com · pqbnews.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The Society needs to raise between $600,000 and $700,000, with the remaining funding to come from government grants, community fundraising, donations and partnerships. cowichanvalleycitizen.com · peninsulanewsreview.com · pqbnews.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The Cowichan Valley Basket Society provides more than $120,000 worth of food each month through its hamper program and about $100,000 worth of free lunches. cowichanvalleycitizen.com · peninsulanewsreview.com · pqbnews.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Design work with an architect and engineers is underway; permits are expected within 30 days and construction could begin by the end of the year if funding is secured. cowichanvalleycitizen.com · peninsulanewsreview.com · pqbnews.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The recently announced federal Build Communities Strong Fund could assist with funding, a letter of support and development and permit costs. cowichanvalleycitizen.com · peninsulanewsreview.com · pqbnews.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The estimated total cost of the warehouse project is approximately $1.225 million. cowichanvalleycitizen.com · peninsulanewsreview.com · pqbnews.com