Neighbour Helping Neighbour

The Campbell River and District Food Bank Society was established in 1985 during the economic downturn when many of our neighbours were struggling with food security.

With the gift of a grant from the Vancouver United Way, a group of caring community members began to distribute groceries in the spirit of Neighbour Helping Neighbour.

That spirit continues today and the citizens of Campbell River have graciously responded with gifts of food, money, and community grants to help us continue our work.

The Food Bank is a charitable non-profit society with an elected Board of Directors, manned by a group of nearly 50 volunteers and a handful of dedicated staff. We do not receive any government funding, and rely entirely on the generous donations of our community.

At the Campbell River Food Bank our dream is to set a table so long that all of our neighbours will know the fortune of food security. Our mission continues because of your generous support. Please consider donating today so we can welcome another neighbour tomorrow.

Joanne Watson

Joanne (Jo) Watson

Executive Director, CR Food Bank

Joanne Watson has a 30 year food service connection with our community, including 23 years as a Culinary Arts Supervisor with North Island College, and 20 years teaching Food Safe. In her current roles as Kitchen Manager of the Hem'?aelas Community Kitchen and Director of the Campbell River Food Bank, Joanne works tirelessly to foster food security in our region. For the second year in a row, Joanne was honoured with the City of Campbell River's Stewardship Award for creating a Gleaning Station at the Food Bank. In partnership with the Greenways Land Trust, gleaning rescues thousands of kilos of fruit each year from the landfill and diverts it back into the community where it’s needed most. In 2023 Joanne was honoured with the distinguished Dr Phil Minnaar Memorial Award for outstanding achievement in community service.

Sandra Rushton

Manager CR Food Bank

  • River City Inclusion – Director 2020 – Present
  • DayBreak Rotary Past Present 2017/2018
  • DayBreak Rotarian 2000-present
  • Hospice - Volunteer and fund- raising Soul Cycler 2018-present
  • Retired Banker Manager CIBC
  • CR Storm volunteer

I Moved to Campbell River 18 years ago, I transferred here with CIBC as Branch Manager, I retired from Banking in 2015. I worked for a local investment firm 2015 until 2017 part time to ease into retirement, and discovered I am not ready to retire but discovered that I was looking for a career change. Worked very part time for Hospice and volunteered, cycling with the Soul Cyclers to fund raise for hospice. I sit on the Board of Directors for River City Inclusion from 2019 – present. I joined Rotary 23 years ago and am proud of the work Rotarians accomplish. Started working as the Assistant Manager, at the food Bank Nov 1/22. I met my husband Mike here in Campbell River, We each have 2 Adult Children, 8 Grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. My husband Mike and I Co-owned the CR Storm hockey team for a number of years, and now happily continue as volunteers.

Sandra Rushton