The Mustard Seed Street Church

The Mustard Seed Street Church Nurturing Faith, Hope & Love

Food Bank | Food Rescue | Family Support | Hospitality | Hope Farm The Mustard Seed was an answer to this question.

Over 35 years ago, a community of people began asking questions about how to best reach our city’s local poor. Wanting to meet the deepest needs of mankind, our founding members desired to respond to Jesus’ commands to feed the hungry and clothe the poor. Established in 1975, The Mustard Seed began as a small Street Church and outreach ministry in Victoria’s urban core. Thirty-five years ago, The

Mustard Seed was operating out of a prayer closet tucked away on Government Street. The need of our under-privileged brothers and sisters was so great that we soon moved to a larger building on Pandora. But our facilities and ministries have expanded considerably since 1975. Moving to Queens Avenue in 1995, our ministry has significantly evolved since those initial years. The Mustard Seed has expanded to become a multi-purpose agency that meets the needs of the whole person living in poverty. Today the Mustard Seed is comprised of a vibrant Street Church, an active Food Bank, and a number of other dynamic ministries. We provide advocacy services, counseling, nursing services, a clothing bank, a drop-in center, a prison ministry, and more. We recently planted another seed of hope in the Cowichan Valley. Located 50 minutes north of Victoria, our Hope Farm Healing Center is a recovery center for former addicts. Expanding 32-acres, Hope Farm connects recovering addicts with the land while offering healing counseling services. We provide training and work experience to benefit our participants and the surrounding Cowichan community. Future Dreams
We recognize that poverty is a draining cycle. We don’t want to just offer hand-outs to our community. We want to offer a hand up. In everything we do, our staff and volunteers strive to break down social boundaries and meet the physical, spiritual, social, and relational needs of the whole person. Our dream is to work together as a community to lead our clients out of poverty. We desire to empower and educate our clients in order to offer these valued community members a way out of the cycle. We long to offer more expansive classes on everything from nutrition, budgeting, cooking, and employable skill training. We dream of larger facilities where we might host classes, child-care, temporary housing, and more. We invite you to dream big with us as we plan carefully to meet these goals. Together we can break the cycle of poverty in Greater Victoria.

Meet Tony!"Since I retired, I've been looking for an opportunity to volunteer for something that wasn't about me, but ...
09/02/2026

Meet Tony!
"Since I retired, I've been looking for an opportunity to volunteer for something that wasn't about me, but about someone else." Tony wanted to step outside his comfort zone and find a way to give back. About eight months ago, that desire brought him to The Mustard Seed.

Now, Tony volunteers two days a week, Tuesdays in the Food Bank and Wednesdays in the Hospitality kitchen. " They're very different. I like them both. I feel as though I've found a place where I feel at home. I enjoy the people, I enjoy the work, and I find the staff very supportive. I think it has a good work culture."

Volunteering has also opened Tony's eyes to some of the challenges people in our community face. "It's opened my eyes to the fact that there's a lot of mental health issues on the street. I'm always very impressed with the way staff handle things. It's made me realize that The Mustard Seed is contributing to the well-being of these people."

Helping people makes Tony feel humble. "I realize that I'm very lucky. I don't think about the cost of food. I don't think about the cost of shoes. But for a lot of people, it's very hard."

One interaction stands out. "I was helping a woman who has a child with celiac disease. I offered her some gluten-free food. She said, 'That's very expensive. I can't always afford it for my son.' She was so thankful. The appreciation people give you always makes me feel good at the end of the day."

For Tony, food rescue is a big part of The Mustard Seed story. "Taking food that would go to waste and converting it into nutrition for people that need it, that's my main message to people."

Tony's hope is one shared by many. "My wish would be that The Mustard Seed is not needed." Until that day comes, Tony is grateful to play his part alongside the many others who give their time to serve our community.

Thank you, Tony, for your humility, compassion, and willingness to step outside your comfort zone to help others. 💛

08/28/2026

What a day! From opening our doors in the morning to helping kids find the perfect pair of shoes and pick up school supplies, backpacks, lunch boxes, and snacks, our Fair Start Distribution Event was filled with smiles, excitement, and community spirit.

This year, 600 local kids received the support they need to head back to school feeling prepared and confident. 💛

None of this would have been possible without the incredible generosity of our donors, volunteers, partners, and community. Thank you for giving your time, resources, and support to make Fair Start possible and help create a special day for local kids and families.

Together, we’re helping local kids start the school year strong! 👟📚🎒

Meet Angela! "I've always thought volunteering is important, an important part of my life." After retiring to Victoria...
08/26/2026

Meet Angela!
"I've always thought volunteering is important, an important part of my life." After retiring to Victoria about two years ago, Angela began looking for ways to give back to her new community. "Our son volunteered at a food bank while at university," she shares. "He inspired us to think along those lines."

Now, every Monday morning, Angela works with the Fruit Rescue team at our Food Security Distribution Centre. "We take the fruit that is not quite good enough to send out in family boxes. We cut away the bad parts and cut up the good parts."

From there, rescued fruit gets a second chance. "Berries get frozen for school smoothies. Apples and pears are cut up for fruit crisp. Bananas get peeled, bagged, and frozen for banana loaf." It's a system that turns what might have been wasted into nourishment for our community. "Just being here and helping people, that's the most important thing."

Volunteering has also become something Angela and her husband enjoy together. While Angela works with Fruit Rescue, her husband volunteers in the kitchen. "We really love it. We do something we can do together. You feel like you're making a difference."

That spirit of giving has become a family experience, too. When their children visited for Thanksgiving, they all volunteered together one morning. "We brought them down here. That was fun to do as a family. We want them to understand it's important, and they will do it too."

Angela also appreciates the people she meets along the way. "The people here are great. Everybody has such a diverse background, and that's interesting."

When asked what she would like others to know about The Mustard Seed, Angela summed it up simply: "It's a very giving and loving community that really cares about people." And she hopes to continue being part of that community. "I just hope to keep volunteering here. I'm really enjoying it."

Thank you, Angela, for your dedication, your family spirit, and for showing us that every piece of rescued fruit carries a little bit of hope. 💛

08/25/2026

A big thank you to The Original FARM for supporting The Mustard Seed and our community! 💛

Their generous team contributed $1,200, organized a food drive that collected 60 lbs of food, and gave 36 volunteer hours at our Food Security Distribution Centre, helping our team sort cauliflower for distribution throughout the community.

Support like this helps us continue rescuing, sorting, and distributing nutritious food to people and families experiencing food insecurity across Greater Victoria. We’re grateful for the many ways The Original Farm is helping strengthen our community!

Meet Yvonne! After being laid off from work, Yvonne decided it was the right time to start volunteering. "I wanted to ...
08/19/2026

Meet Yvonne!
After being laid off from work, Yvonne decided it was the right time to start volunteering. "I wanted to give something back to the community, so I applied before I left my position. Now I'm here one day a week, and I love it."

Every Friday, Yvonne welcomes guests in our Marketplace, helping them access fresh produce and canned goods. For her, volunteering is rooted in kindness and caring for others. "We are one. If we can give back into the community and help one another, we should."

Every shift brings something new. "I'm beginning to see the same faces, so we're getting a rapport with people. Every day is memorable. There's always something happening, always something different, always something unique."

What makes Yvonne most proud is the opportunity to brighten someone's day. She feels proud to be here helping people. "I always smile and greet people. If I'm smiling, maybe it'll make them feel a bit happier. Sometimes we're the only person they speak to that day. I'm proud to be here. It's a good cause."

At the end of each shift, she leaves feeling grateful. "I feel good. I feel thankful, and I thank God for a nice day and for helping people.

Yvonne wants others to know that The Mustard Seed is a welcoming place for everyone. "It's a very friendly place to volunteer. It caters to people from all walks of life. We're here to help you. We're a great crew, and there's lots of help we can provide. Don't feel ashamed about coming here."

Looking ahead, Yvonne has one simple wish. "I hope we have more donations because we want to give people what we can. Sometimes we have lots to share, and other times we have to limit what people can take." She says that more donations will help ensure everyone can receive the support they need.

Thank you, Yvonne, for your kindness, your warm smile, and for helping make every guest feel welcome. 💛

08/18/2026

Ever wondered what it’s like to volunteer at our Food Security Distribution Centre?
Come see it in action at our Volunteer Open House!
📅 Friday, August 28
⏰ 10:00–11:30 AM
📍 808 Viewfield Rd B, Esquimalt, BC

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of our Food Security Distribution Centre, see our volunteer stations in action, and learn how rescued food moves through our warehouse before reaching 80+ local agencies across our community.

We currently have several volunteer opportunities available and would love to welcome new faces to our team! Whether you’re looking to give back, meet new people, or make a difference in your community, this is a great chance to see how you could get involved.

💛 Sign up for our Open House today: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0548ABAE29A2F9C70-65118062-open

Meet Yuhong!Yuhong first heard about The Mustard Seed in 2023. "I was told it's a great organization where I could vol...
08/12/2026

Meet Yuhong!
Yuhong first heard about The Mustard Seed in 2023. "I was told it's a great organization where I could volunteer." Soon after, she discovered an opening for a Communications and Grants Officer, a role that perfectly matched her background. "I was lucky to be chosen."

Today, she helps tell The Mustard Seed's story through our website, social media, grant writing, newsletters, marketing materials, and other communications that support our mission.

She was amazed by the scale of the work. "Over 3.1 million pounds of rescued food every year and reaching more than 65,000 people experiencing food insecurity every month! It's huge! I'm proud to contribute my expertise to this mission."

But beyond the numbers, it's the people who inspire her most. "We have more than 170 volunteers supporting our daily operations. Every time I interview them, they share their stories. They all come from different walks of life, but they have the same compassion, dedication, and willingness to give back. They inspire me to do my best every day."

One moment she'll never forget happened during last year's Fair Start event. "I met a family with three children. Their dad told me this program had saved his family. Watching volunteers help his kids choose the best-fitting shoes and seeing the smiles on their faces reminded me why we do this work. It's meaningful."

Representing The Mustard Seed in the community is another highlight. "During events like the Christmas Parade, people recognize our team and shout, 'Mustard Seed! Great job!' I can feel how much our community supports what we do."

The stories she hears continue to shape her perspective. "I've heard so many stories from people who received support during difficult times and later came back to give back to the community." Her message to anyone who may need support is simple: "We're here to help everyone. Don't hesitate to walk through our doors when you need support."

Thank you, Yuhong, for helping tell the stories that inspire hope and connect our community. Your work helps others see the people behind the mission and the difference we make together. 💛

08/11/2026

Come join us at the Royal Oak Country Grocer on Friday, August 14! 🌭☀️ From 11am – 2pm our team will be serving hot dogs, chili, coleslaw, and beverages out front in the Royal Oak Country Grocer parking lot. All proceeds help support ’s fight against food insecurity.

As a bonus, every hot dog donation enters you for a chance to win one of four $50 Country Grocer gift cards, generously sponsored by Island Savings! Stop by for tasty hot dogs, refreshing drinks, fun games, exciting swag from Victoria Royals and a great afternoon with the community.

Thank you, , , and for making this possible!

08/10/2026

Every day, our Food Bank is here to ensure individuals and families in our community have access to healthy, nutritious food when they need it most.

We're incredibly grateful to The Victoria Foundation for their generous $30,000 Community Grant, which helps support our day-to-day operations. This funding allows us to continue providing reliable access to nutritious food for people experiencing food insecurity in Greater Victoria. 💛

08/08/2026

Our annual Fair Start program is back, helping children head back to school with the supplies they need to learn and thrive. 📚🎒👟

For families already struggling to put food on the table, back-to-school season can bring even more financial pressure. The cost of school supplies, new shoes, and snacks can be difficult to manage when every dollar is already needed for the essentials.

Each Fair Start kit includes grade-appropriate school supplies, a new pair of running shoes, and snacks — helping children start the school year feeling prepared and confident, while easing some of the pressure on their families.

This wouldn’t be possible without your support! Donate through the link below before August 27 and help give local children a fair start to the school year. ❤️
https://mustardseed.ca/fairstart26/

Address

625 Queens Avenue
Victoria, BC
V8T1L9

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4am
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

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