Food hampers for Black Families in BC

Help support African Descent low-income families with La Teranga Food Baskets

As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the African Arts & Cultural Contributor Society has launched a 12-week food distribution program called La Teranga Food Baskets. 

We have been providing food baskets filled with culturally-relevant, perishable, and non-perishable food staples to members of the African descent and black community living in Victoria, Saanich, Langford, Duncan, and Nanaimo.

The demand has been overwhelming. Every week, we approximatively feed 165 individuals. The need for La Teranga Food Baskets is apparent. COVID-19 data released by the province of BC stated that Black individuals were among the racialized communities more likely to report not working due to COVID-19, therefore have increased difficulty meeting financial needs. 

Similarly, the Broadbent Institute reports that Black communities are 3.5 times more likely to experience food insecurity compared to White Canadians, even after adjusting for factors like immigration status, education level, and homeownership. Black children were also 34 percent more likely to be food insecure compared to 10 percent of White children.

We need your help to keep this program running past December 2020.

The goal of this fundraiser is to raise funds to address food insecurity for low-income members of the black community living in Victoria, Saanich, Langford, Duncan, Sooke, and Nanaimo.

Each food basket costs an average of $60 for a 3 person household and we hope to feed 50 families every week. 

The Fundraiser Goal:

We hope to raise $60, 000 to keep this program running for the next year.  

The Organization:

Our mission is to advance awareness and understanding of the richness and diversity of African culture and traditions through the promotion of a broad range of cultural, educational and artistic activities, events and programs.  

The Centre: 

Issamba, means “coming together” in Cameroon. It is a highly regarded value. In addition to being a hub for people of African descent, we also provide a gateway for engagement with African and Caribbean people and their cultures. 

Find out more at ISSAMBA CENTRE