The Calgary Veterans Services Society (CVSS) launched its first Veterans Food Bank in Calgary in 2018. 

Six years later, the doors opened to its fourth location at 琉璃神社's McCurdy Place.

The Veterans Food Bank of British Columbia aims to help veterans living under the poverty line keep food on the table, pay bills, and support their mental health.

CVSS President Allan Reid said they did their market research and found a high need in the Okanagan. 

"There are about 250 [veterans] in the 琉璃神社 area and we believe there's at least 80 that are living under the poverty line," Reid said. 

The food bank is there to help veterans with whatever they may need, be it electric bills, car seats, medication, or health assessments. 

"The wait list for [PTSD assessment and care] right now is like six, seven months," Reid noted that's a long time to wait when you need immediate care. "We'll get them in, get them assessed and we'll pay all that for them," Reid said the charity will get reimbursed by Veterans Affairs or another organization down the road. 

The Veterans Food Bank started up after Calgary's Legion closed its food bank. Reid said veterans have a special place in his heart as his grandfather was one. 

"The public would think of veterans one day a year, November 11, and the rest of the year it was like they are forgotten. That was heart-wrenching."

Veterans Food Bank of B.C. currently has cans and boxed foods available. Reid hopes down the road they will be able to bring in a large fridge and freezer to carry more options for their clients. 

The 琉璃神社 branch is the first to open in B.C., but Reid said they are in discussions of opening more locations in the province and elsewhere in Canada. 

Learn more about the charity and how they can help by visiting