Devastating flooding in Fraser Valley farmland
Updated Nov 22:
It’s been a devastating week. We’ve been thinking non-stop about the farmers & producers impacted by the BC flooding, many of whom are our vendors and friends. To learn more about the state of the disaster follow this link.
Our team has heard from farmers and producers, many are physically well but cut off from services, have flooded fields, or have lost buildings. We’ve also been hearing from shoppers and supporters who want to show support and respond to the loss. There is strength, care and resilience within this community, but the long-term impacts of the floods and slides on livelihoods and on the status of our regional food system remains uncertain.
If you’re able to donate to those who have been evacuated and help with rebuilding efforts we’ve included some ways to help below:
- For people who want to donate to a specific group GoFundMe has a centralized hub for verified fundraisers.
- BC Agriculture Council is directly supporting B.C. farmers and ranchers who have been impacted, make a donation here.
- The Canadian Red Cross is working to get people into impacted areas to provide humanitarian aid. Donations will help provide relief and recovery at the individual and community level.
- The United Way is providing critical relief and urgent recovery efforts. Donations will help those who are displaced, or have lost housing, belongings or employment.
- The Labourers’ International Union of North America Local 1611 is accepting goods and financial donations at its head office in Surrey for displaced people in the Fraser Valley.
- Food Banks BC provides links and contact info for community food banks that may need donations or support. It is also taking donations.
- Archway Food Bank in Abbotsford is looking for food items, or financial support to help with increased costs to its supply line because of the floods. It also has a list of most in demand food items.
- Kirpa Collective is a group of Abbotsford working together to provide hot meals to local evacuees and volunteers, and providing volunteers for efforts like sandbagging. The collective is collecting and buying supplies for people in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Hope, Merritt, Kamloops, Lytton, Boston Bar, Nooaitch Band, Nicomen Bands, and anywhere else they can go via truck or air.
- The Migrant Rights Network is supporting migrant farm workers displaced by the floods, and accepting donations to provide supplies and pre-paid cards directly to farmworkers, who often don’t qualify for EI.
- The BC Search & Rescue Association accepts donations and has been diligently providing support rescuing people in Abbotsford.
- Disaster Aid Canada is providing storm emergency support and collecting donations to help impacted communities.
At the winter markets VFM will be supporting Mandair Farms in collecting food and cash donations to supply the Kirpa Collective and help those in need. Among other things they are accepting winter gloves and canned and dried good such as: toilet paper, sugar, salt, pasta, cereal, tea, and canned veg, fruit, beans, lentils & meat, soup rice. They are not able to take on fresh or frozen items.
