WCSS continues to see record-breaking numbers of Food Bank visits. Every week, more of our neighbours are struggling to put nutritious food on the table. The challenges our community faces are real, and we need your help to meet this growing need.
DONATE NOW to the 2025 Whistler Food Bank Campaign.
Read below to hear the story of a food bank visitor in the Sea to Sky.
“I’m born and raised in Whistler, and I’ve always loved the outdoors. In the winter, I work as a ski instructor, and in the summer, I guide bike tours. It’s a lifestyle I love, and this town depends on people like me in these roles, but the wages aren’t enough to provide any stability. Typically, my rent takes up 50% of my income, which makes it extremely hard to cover my other expenses.
Things got even tougher when I got injured, keeping me out of work for eight months and making it impossible to make ends meet. And I’m still not back on track. I now rely on the food bank to get by. I never eat out, I only buy clothes from the Reuse-It-Centre, and I’ve had to cut things that are not essential like my gym membership and social events, which don’t seem essential, but you don’t realize how important they are to your mental wellbeing until they are gone.
I have a serious girlfriend, and we’ve talked about starting a family but with the current financial situation, there’s no way we can do it in Whistler, which is a tough reality to face.
I want to say a big THANK YOU for conducting this survey and asking people about food insecurity. It’s a really hard topic to talk about, but it’s so important. Being given a gift card for food is seriously amazing and makes a huge difference. I wish there were more subsidies for monthly food allowances for those of us in Whistler with super low wages.”
– Food Bank Client, Sea to Sky Corridor
These testimonials are excerpts from the food insecurity narratives developed as part of the Sea to Sky Food Resiliency Project by Whistler Centre for Sustainability, Engagement + Planning. Thanks to the food bank clients who responded to the survey used to develop the narratives.