Emergency Food Service (EFS)

What is the EFS? It is essentially a food bank supported by St. Johns. The EFS is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 AM until noon serving from 70 to 90 clients. The EFS is staffed by about 35 to 40 volunteers. The church provides the space and other services at no cost, so that every dollar donated is spent providing goods for our clients. We give out primarily non-perishable food items such as canned vegetables, pork and beans, soups, macaroni and cheese, coffee, tea, powdered milk, rice, rolled oats, tuna, and peanut butter.

We also have such items as laundry detergent, hand soap, toilet paper, some toiletry items, and even candy, cookies, fruit juice, and soda pop. We are unique in that instead of giving out prepackaged handouts, we have our clients choose the items that they need within reasonable limits. Volunteers staff this food bank Mondays and Thursdays for stocking shelves, and Tuesdays and Fridays for giving out the hampers.

Anyone wishing to help in either way should contact the church office at (250) 383-7169 or .

Donations of money or food are welcome. The greatest need is for items for the “extras” shelf, such as crackers, canned fruit, packaged cereals, sweet treats. Also there is a need for clean recycled plastic tubs for peanut butter and laundry soap; useful sizes are 250 ml, 500 ml, and 750 ml .

The EFS greatly appreciates support from local businesses, such as Save On Foods and WalMart.