Stock photo used to protect client privacy.
Lisa* and her children experienced what she calls “the domino effect” after fleeing domestic violence and returning to her hometown of Abbotsford from overseas.
She did everything in her power to find a safe place for her children and was determined to keep her family together—but soon realized that her relatives couldn’t provide the support they needed.
With nowhere else to go, Lisa and her children were left homeless and forced to live in her car as they searched for stability.
Their situation began to improve when they were accepted into the Christine Lamb Residence, second-stage housing provided to vulnerable women and children through the SARA for Women organization.
Lisa first learned about the Archway Food Bank through the Christine Lamb Residence which acts as a program satellite location, allowing residents to conveniently access food bank services right where they’re living.
Each month, the food bank delivers tailored food provisions to meet the specific needs of the families living there, helping reduce barriers to food security and ensuring consistent access to nutritious food.
At first, Lisa was hesitant to accept the support.
“I’ve always felt that there are people who need it more than me, so I’m just not going to go,” she shared.
But after moving out of the residence in 2020, Lisa and her family continued accessing the food bank and came to see the program as a lifeline.
For Lisa, one of the main reasons she continues to visit the food bank is the unwavering support of their staff.
“They’re very friendly, and they’re willing to work with you on a lot of things,” she shared.
“We know it takes courage to ask for help. Our team works hard to create a welcoming, non-judgmental space for anyone walking through our doors,” shared Rebecca Thuro, Manager of Food Security.
Over time, Lisa has also noticed how the food bank has continued to evolve to meet the needs of families like hers. She’s been pleasantly surprised by the variety of food available, from fresh produce and quality meats to thoughtful extras like birthday cakes, when available and requested.
There have also been several occasions when Lisa was unable to drive due to injuries. During these times, the food bank adjusted to her situation by delivering food directly to her home and working around her schedule, making sure to accommodate her transportation needs and time constraints while she depended on friends for rides.
As a mother of two children on the autism spectrum, Lisa faces unique challenges when it comes to finding foods her children will eat. Her oldest has strong sensory sensitivities and can only tolerate certain foods, something she didn’t initially realize she could talk to the food bank about.
Being able to provide healthy, consistent meals for her children has brought her peace of mind and a sense of stability during uncertain times.
Did You Know?
“We know it takes courage to ask for help. Our team works hard to create a welcoming, non-judgmental space for anyone walking through our doors”
Accessing More Than Just Food
Beyond the Food Bank, Lisa and her children have also received support from Archway’s Sexual Abuse Intervention Program (SAIP) and Sexual Assault Response Program (SARP).
Both programs provide counselling, coping skills and support to those who have been impacted by sexual abuse or experienced a sexual assault.
“I’ve found such great support through Archway, through the programs and the staff,” Lisa shared.
The True Impact of Donations
“Donations to the Food Bank do more than fill empty stomachs. For someone like Lisa, who has faced trauma and uncertainty, having access to nutritious food means stability and hope,” shared Rebecca.
Lisa hopes donors and supporters understand just how far their generosity goes.
“I know that people know that they’re doing something good when they donate, but I don’t know if they actually realize that they are keeping our kids fed. A lot of the time without the food bank we would have had no food at all,” she explained.
Looking Towards the Future
Recovery from abuse has been a long and winding road for Lisa and her children.
Yet, as she looks to the future, she carries a deep sense of gratitude for the support that helped her through the most difficult times of her life.
Looking at the next 5-10 years, she dreams of relocating to the East Coast, where the cost of living is more manageable, and the hope of a fresh start feels within reach.
* Real name withheld to protect client privacy