In 2022, Island Crisis Care Society (ICCS) purchased the former Nanaimo Bakery building in Nanaimo with a vision for what it could become. As we listened to community partners, food programs, and local entrepreneurs, one need kept rising to the surface: affordable access to licensed, 24-hour commercial kitchen space was extremely limited.

So we reimagined the bakery. What was once a traditional production kitchen was thoughtfully transformed into the Rising Hope Community Kitchen. Today, it is a welcoming, fully equipped space where local food creators can develop their skills, launch ventures, and turn food business dreams into reality.

From the beginning, this project has been guided by a simple belief: food is more than nourishment. It is a pathway to dignity, connection, and opportunity. Rising Hope strengthens local food security and improves access to safe, affordable kitchen space so more people can cook, preserve, prepare, and share food within our community.

Alongside the commercial kitchen, our teaching kitchen offers home-style equipment designed for non-profits, community groups, and local organizations. This flexible space supports hands-on learning, small group programs, and culturally responsive food initiatives. Together, these spaces create an inclusive food hub that supports the full spectrum of community food needs.