A temporary meal program for the downtown homeless population is being extended by the city.
The operators of the Hem’?aelas Community Kitchen, which operated out of the Harbourside Inn until the end of last year, haven’t been able to find a new home, so the city is continuing a hot meal program that was supposed be temporary.
“This program reflects months of dedicated behind‑the‑scenes work by city staff and community partners and allows us to respond in a meaningful way to the complex challenges that matter deeply to residents,” said Mayor Kermit Dahl in a statement. “Building on the city’s longstanding partnership with the Salvation Army, this collaboration with the Salvation Army and Laichwiltach Family Life Society will provide a consistent nightly dinner service from a trusted, established location. The program offers people a safe, indoor place to enjoy a hot meal, while also helping keep public spaces clean and welcoming for residents, families, and visitors.
“I want to sincerely thank our community partners and the many city staff whose passion, care, and commitment have made this possible.”
The city has partnered with the Salvation Army, which will deliver hot meals nightly at the Centre of Hope building on Cedar Street. The Laichwiltach Family Life Society is also involved with delivering the program. Meals will be delivered five nights a week, as they are now, but once the program begins in earnest, it will be expanded to seven nights each week.
According to the city, the “program expands existing lunchtime meal services to provide consistent evening meals in an established setting” and it “will continue until the new dinner program officially begins as soon as is practical.”
The city and Salvation Army have signed a four-year memorandum of understanding, “during which the city will provide financial support while the parties work together on the long-term objective of funding a purpose-built facility outside of the downtown core.”
In December 2024, the city purchased the Harbourside Inn and several other properties on Shoppers Row. Last year the city announced the “Reimagine the Row” project, which will transform the entire block into new ground-floor commercial space with up to 200 residential units above, aimed at middle-income earners. Around 10% of units will be rented out at designated affordable housing rates.
Tobyn Pearson, community ministries director with the Salvation Army, thanked the agencies for working together to find a way to make sure no one struggling downtown goes hungry.
“The city’s support enables us to expand our services and provide additional meal programs for members of our community who rely on these services,” he said. “We thank the Laichwiltach Family Life Society and the city for their partnership and look forward to the positive impact this will have on the Campbell River community.”
Funding for the food program is coming from the city’s Financial Stabilization Reserve for 2026. The city is also pursuing grants to help cover future costs, and will push the province and BC Housing to provide long-term solutions. Elle Brovold, city manager, says the program will cost approximately $144,000 this year, but will decrease over the next several years as the Salvation Army finds its own funding.
“In addition to supporting food security initiatives, the city will continue to advocate to senior levels of government for the services and funding needed to support residents, says the city’s statement. “The city will continue supporting housing first solutions such as the Homewood temporary housing units, which have already had a notable, positive impact in the community.”
The new program will start as soon as supplies, volunteers, and logistics are in place, and will continue until the community kitchen program has a new home.
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