The Community Fund
(Emergency Food Cupboard)
If you are a low-income Delta household in a food crisis situation, you can request emergency food, food vouchers and/or bus tickets from our Community Fund (aka Emergency Food Cupboard) . This offering is supported by donations of cash and food to Deltassist.
Deltassist is not a Food Bank but rather a stop-gap for emergency situations. In addition to emergency food or bus tickets, you will be given information on other community food resources food which you can contact for further assistance.
If you request something other than food or transportation, and your request is within the giving guidelines of our community partners, with your permission we will pass on your name, contact information and request to one of these community partners. Partners include churches and service clubs.
Please note, we are unable to provide assistance paying monthly bills such as rent, utilities and phones.
To request emergency food, contact us at 604-594-3455.
Community Garden
Our community garden is maintained by a team of volunteers who are active from February through November, growing fresh vegetables, and some herbs and fruits.
If you live in Delta and are unhoused, or a low-income senior, parent or single, you are eligible to receive food from the garden. To request produce from the garden, contact us at 604-594-3455.
Bread Gleaning
We operate a weekly bread gleaning program with bread that is generously donated by Monte Cristo Bakery. Every week volunteers pick up the bread from the bakery, package it at our office, and then it is distributed to various community partners. The bread is free and available to all.
To find out where you can pick up bread from this program, call us at 604-594-3455.
Christmas Hampers
Each year, we coordinate the collection of food and distribution of Christmas hampers for low-income Delta residents during the Christmas season.
Please visit the Toy Depot and Christmas Hampers page for information on how to apply for this program. (We start accepting applications in September.)
Starfish Backpack Program
This program is simple. Participating schools identify students who would benefit from a Starfish backpack. Every Friday after school, students who are part of the Program pick up a backpack full of food for themselves and their families for the weekend and take it home. Monday morning the students return empty backpacks for refilling for the following Friday.
Community Sources of Food
The City of Delta keeps track of food sources in a brochure which they update annually.
You can view that brochure on their website by clicking the button below.
How Deltassist Addresses Food Security
Delta Food Coalition
Deltassist is an active participant in The Delta Food Coalition‘s efforts to develop a focused action plan to increase food security in Delta. The plan includes:
- community outreach
- education
- communication
- municipal engagement
Building Capacity and Sustainability
Working to build capacity through collaborative and cooperative activities requires:
- Community Need Awareness
- Community Partnerships
- Raising Awareness
- Encouraging Involvement
- Municipal Engagement
- Stakeholders Engagement
- Mapping Local Food Sources
- Community Delivery Mechanisms
Capacity is built daily at the “grass roots” through collaborative and cooperative activities.
Work done by the Earthwise Garden Society (Annual Grow Local Fair) and Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust (A Day at the Farm) are examples of how building events contributes to our sustainability.