Purolator Tackle Hunger Week

The Purolator Tackle Hunger Week aims to engage all their people to help increase food donations at local food banks across Canada.  From June 7 – 11 this year, Purolator hosted food drives at their hubs and terminals across Canada, as well as at Purolator's Contact Centres and head office.

Since 2003, Purolator has successfully generated 3 million pounds of food for food banks across Canada. Last year alone they raised more than 130,000 pounds.

Richmond Chinatown Lions Presentation

Richmond Chinatown Lions Club President Thurman So presents a generous cheque for $4,000 to Richmond Food Bank Society Director Sheila Johnston and Executive Director Margaret Hewlett - a welcome donation at this time when the food bank is serving such high numbers.

Black Bond Book Sale

Black Bond Books in Lansdowne Centre held a book sale and raised nearly $700 for the Richmond Food Bank. Thank you to Connie and the Black Bond Books team!

RFSS Gives Away Tomato Plants

Through the support of the Richmond Fruit Tree Sharing Project, the Richmond Food Security Society donated over 300 tomato plants to clients of the Richmond Food Bank. In addition to the plants, pots and potting soil were given out for clients who didn’t have garden access. The plants were well received on all 3 distribution days.

Richmond Youth Concert Band Musical Gala

The Richmond Youth Concert Band raised over $3541 this year for the Richmond Food Bank at its 5th Annual Musical Gala Dinner. During dinner, patrons were entertained by the concert band and jazz ensemble under the direction of David Fromager. Between sets, directors and members conducted a silent auction and raffle for the RYCB Scholarship & Bursary Fund and the Richmond Food Bank.

Since 2003, the RYCB has donated monetary and quality food valuing over $10,000.

Tickle Me Pickle

Richmond's home-grown improv troupe, Tickle Me Pickle, donated the proceeds of their 4th annual "Laughter is the Best Medicine" improv show at the Richmond Cultural Centre to the Food Bank.

Over $1000 and 25 lbs of food was raised at the sold-out show and a great time was had by all.

T. Homma School Donation

Thanks to the students and teachers at T. Homma school for their very generous donation and beautful card. Their long-standing and continuing support, helping those who are less fortunate, is much appreciated.

Dream Auction 2009

The Gilmore Park United Dream Auction once again made a large donation to the Food Bank to help end poverty and hunger in Richmond.

Other beneficiaries are the Richmond Poverty Task Force to fund breakfast programs in Richmond schools, the St Alban's Community Meal, and Nova House which provides a safe environment for women and children.

Over 30% of Richmond children live in poverty.

Gulf & Fraser Financial Group “Cans Structure” Challenge

In keeping with its Mission Statement to invest in its members and communities, the “cans structure” challenge was put forward to branches by Gulf & Fraser Financial Group’s Corporate Office as an innovative way to address GFFG’s commitment to helping members with their financial needs and serve a great community cause at the same time.

All 12 GFFG branches participated and all will be donating their cans to their local respective food banks.  All displays were  meant to convey a message about building a good retirement plan and reflect a project “under construction”, as all retirement plans require a design or plan, are ‘constructed’ bit by bit with small contributions over time,  and should be reassessed as they are built toward completion (actual retirement). 

Steveston Branch’s display is “the little train that can”, and signifies that “we can help keep your retirement on track”.  Staff learned that this project wasn’t going to be as easy as first envisioned – there were lots of excellent creative ideas to start but many initially lacked a basic, feasible structural plan.  We received a total of 8 cases of canned fish donations from Canfisco (Gold Seal label) and Ocean Fisheries, and Save-On-Foods at Ironwood offered us special case-lot pricing arrangements for our bulk purchase of cans.  We are grateful to our sponsors for supporting GFFG and the Richmond Food Bank!

Girl Guide Units 106 and 127 from Calgary visit

Girl Guide Units 106 and 127 from Calgary came to the Richmond Food Bank for a tour while in the area. The group had raised money for two years to make the trip, to celebrate 100 years of Guiding.  They donated food and money to help our Richmond neighbours and are interested in continuing to help support the work that food banks do for children, such as out Dental Hygiene program.  We hope they visit again soon!

Steveston Community Centre Craft Fair

The Steveston Community Centre's Christmas Craft Fair was a very successful event and they graciously donated almost $2000 and many boxes of food to the foodbank this year.

A huge thanks to CHC Helicopters for their $15,000 donation.

"At CHC Helicopter, we care about the communities in which we live and work. CHC has a commitment to projects and organizations that enrich the lives of others, with a particular focus on children's education, healthcare and social well-being. We believe we should play a role in strengthening the social conditions of the communities in which we operate. CHC gives priority to longer-term educational initiatives, particularly in areas where access to quality education is difficult, and to health-related initiatives which benefit the local community.

Health, Education, and Social well-being organizations/programs which meet CHC's Corporate Giving Program objectives and funding criteria can apply for and will be considered for funding."

Nat & Drew's Food Bank Fill Up - Dec 7 - 11

Nat & Drew's Food Bank Fill Up happened at Safeway locations once again this year to help Lower Mainland foodbanks.

Thanks go to Nat & Drew and Kiah & Tara Jean for broadcasting on location and to Virgin Radio for the most successful Food Bank Fill Up ever.

Our thanks to the Nicolaas Family for their very generous donation.

IKEA's Christmas Foodbank Events

IKEA's Christmas Party was a hugely successful and fun time for their staff members. Almost $2500 was raised through raffles and other events. Thank-you Roger, Renee and Cliff for representing the foodbank.

And there is more to come. IKEA staff built gingerbread houses and the top three go to the floor for customers to see. Customers vote by making a donation into the bin of their favourite house and IKEA matches all donations made. Last year over $1000 was raised.

Many thanks to our "Birthday Stars" children who instead of birthday gifts, collect donations of food and books for children who need the food bank. Thanks Devon L, Noel (and mom Gail), and Noah. Bravo! And many happy returns!

Richard Rand and the Rand Wealth Management Team made a generous donation of $1,000 to the Richmond Food Bank to honour their clients at Christmas/Hanukkah 2009....giving it to the people who need it most.

The South Arm Seniors Cooking Club raised over $680 dollars for the Richmond Food Bank at the South Arm Craft Fair. The coordinators, Stella Au and Charlene Dy, invited Margaret Hewlett to enjoy their delicious lunch dishes and receive the donation on behalf of the RFB.  The Seniors Cooking Club is a partnership between South Arm Community Center and Family Services of Greater Vancouver. It meets every second and fourth Tuesday of the month, and is open to anyone over the age of 55 with or without cooking experience! Contact Stella Au at 604-718-8070 for more details.

Darlene Ma, Co-Chair of the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC); Rick Kimoto, Retired RCMP & a United Way Loaned Rep; Margaret Hewlett, Richmond Food Bank Society; Fabiola Bazo, Co-Chair (GCWCC); and Doug Kinsey, Acting Regional Executive Director of Industry Canada helped launch the United Way 2009 workplace campaign at the Vancouver office of Industry Canada.

The GCWCC and United Way/Centraide are working to build a strong, healthy and safe community for all. A big part of their campaign is the Loaned Representative program where employees from the public and private sectors are loaned for a 16 week period to help make their communities a better place.

Thanks Zack and Kris for thinking of the foodbank.

The Tzu Chi Foundation held their Winter Relief program once again this year. The distribution of toiletries and warm clothing was appreciated very much by our clients.

'Tzu Chi' translates to 'compassion relief' (as explained in this FAQ) and the group has a global reach, helping where help is needed.

We receive help year-round from the Richmond branch at our foodbank and we are extremely grateful.

The Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Assocation once again made a very generous donation of $2000 to the Foodbank.

Lingyen Mountain Temple Celebration - Sep 13, 2009

The Lingyen Mountain Temple held a Children’s Sketching Competition for Charity to celebrate their 10th Anniversary with the proceeds going to the Richmond Food Bank.  This event titled The Beauty of Linyen, and a companion charity sale, raised $10,000 for the foodbank.

The Chinese palace‐style architecture of the Temple and the beautiful surrounding landscape offered the perfect venue for the children (Grades 1 - 7) to take part in the drawing contest.

The temple prides itself on not only providing a place where people can learn
Buddhism and develop spiritual strengths, but can also support the community needs.

Danielle of IKEA and Billy and Jenny from the 32nd Richmond Scout Group take donations at the IKEA Tiny Tummies event.  Thanks to the efforts of the 32nd Richmond Scout Group and IKEA Staff, and the generosity of IKEA and IKEA customers, over $1200 was raised for the Richmond Food Bank Friends of Children Dairy Program.

Bentall 2009 - July 30, 2009

Bentall  hosted its 6th annual tenant appreciation BBQ at Airport Executive Park.  Once again, cash donations as well as non-perishable food items were collected for the Richmond Food Bank.  Over $2300 and 800# of food were donated from this great event. Thanks Jill.

Ironwood Show & Shine - Saturday June 27th

The Ironwood Show & Shine was presented by EDS Custom Paint and Body, and AM650 Radio and raised almost $2500 in food and cash. This is the first of what we hope to be an annual event, sponsored by the majority of businesses in and around the Ironwood Shopping Centre.

The timing for this support is perfect as donations always fall through the spring and summer and this year the Richmond Food Bank is serving up to 500 families in a week - a forty percent increase over the same period last year.

June 16-22 -The Richmond Public Library’s Food for Fines event brought in a full truck-load of food for us.  The library waived $2 in overdue fines for each food donation to a maximum of $10.  Library customers were also encouraged to bring in long-overdue items and have the entire fine for the item removed from their account.  This removed obstacles to patrons using the library who were blocked by fines on their account during these difficult times and also greatly benefited the foodbank.

Thanks Virginia, Susan and everyone involved.

We'd like to acknowledge some help we've received in June. Donations at this time are especially welcome as we're having to purchase staple items much earlier in the year because of the economic conditions.

• CBI Physiotherapy for over $350 and food
• Sage Software for $70 and over 1300 pounds of food
• Purolator Courier for nearly $3500 and 2000 pounds of food!
• McKinney Elementary School for $150 and 500 pounds of food. This was organized by parent Carolyn Hart to honour teacher Craig Brewis for his 20 years of teaching.

Dan Dere presents Margaret with a cheque from TWU Local 60. They have been donating $200 a month since 2004 and we offer them a sincere thanks!

April 15, 2009 -- The Richmond Food Bank would like to thank the RBC Foundation for their generous donation.

The Basics for Babies® program run by JRfm, with support from Scotiabank, Save On Foods, and PriceSmart Foods, supplies baby food, formula, and diapers to local food banks.

Thank-you to JRfm and their listeners for this long running, much needed program.

During the RBC Dominion Securities campaign to introduce their revamped website (www.alanrae.com), the Alan Rae Wealth Management Team offered to donate a can of food for every visit to the site. In February, Alan Rae presented a cheque for $750 to the Richmond Food Bank, to buy the most needed food. This is a welcome follow-up to the $865 and food stuffs donated by RFB Director Richard Rand and staff at the Richmond RBC Dominion Securities office in December 2008.  And in March, Bill Jaffe’s team supported the RFB with a quality food raising event. Thank you RBC Dominion Securities. (Pictures.)

Sarb Sandhu, Dan Sharma, and Debra Brady of the Ironwood Branch present a $10,000 donation from Coast Capital Savings Credit Union to Margaret.

Thank you Coast Capital!

The Richmond Auto Mall Association and its 15 dealerships donated $7315 and a lot of food this Christmas holiday season. This is especially impressive as some dealerships organized their drives independently.

We thank The Green Shield Canada Foundation for a $15,000 grant to sustain our Nutritious Recipes Demonstrations project.

We were surprised with an unexpected donation from WorkSafe BC who matched employee donations for a total of $5,000. Thank you Worksafe staff and management for your continuing support.

Richmond Food Bank receives $5,000 from Coast Capital Savings

Coast Capital Savings has provided a $5,000 boost to the Richmond Food Bank Society to help Richmond area families in need with the rising cost of food.

The donation is part of Coast Capital Savings’ larger contribution of $49,500 distributed to 17 food banks on Vancouver Island and throughout the Lower Mainland.

“The demand of food banks exists throughout the year, and we hope our donation will encourage other businesses to lend their support,” said Karin Studer, Coast Capital Savings’ Director, Core Banking. 

The Richmond Chinatown Lions Club’s gala “LIONS for Cool-Aid” raised $25,000 to purchase a walk-in cooler and to complete renovations at the Richmond Food Bank.

A walk-in cooler is integral to our Friends of Children Dairy Program which gives fresh milk, cheese, or eggs each week to children and nursing mothers. Donations in excess of the cost of the cooler will go towards purchasing washable and durable, non-slip flooring for our high-traffic areas. The balance will buy milk, cheese, and eggs. 

The Richmond Chinatown Lions Club is committed to building a stronger and inclusive community in Richmond. The March 8 gala was an exciting and entertaining event that brought together people from diverse backgrounds and with many talents to work and play together in a common cause. We thank Co-Chairs Honourable Linda Reid and Lion Thurman So – and all the members of the Richmond Chinatown Lions Club – for their dedication and hard work to benefit neighbours in need.

A New Van for the Richmond Food Bank

The Richmond Food Bank received a surprise Christmas gift. The Milan and Maureen Ilich Foundation donated a brand new cargo van. The news of the planned gift was received with delight and gratitude on the busy day in December when the food bank’s sole vehicle had a breakdown in traffic, in the middle of its collection route.

When the Richmond Food Bank started 25 years ago, its volunteers used a Progressive Construction cube van to collect donations. For many years, its most significant funding also came from this community-spirited family and business.

This new van will expand the food bank’s fleet to two vehicles, allowing two teams of volunteers to collect the increasing number of corporate food donations through the year. It will also be used to collect produce from the fields during harvest season at the Sharing Farm, and it will be especially valuable during the busy giving season at Christmas.

The Richmond Food Bank is proud to have this clearly marked vehicle on the roads of Richmond. You can expect to see it at work almost any day of the week.

A special thanks to the following significant donors:

• ACFC West, Local 2020 CEP
• Acrohelipro Global Services Richmond Division
• Aeroguard Company Ltd
• Aeroinfo Systems, A Boeing Company
• Aeroplan & Employees
• Army, Navy & Airforce Veterans, Unit 284
• Auto West BMW
• BC Hydro Employees' Community Services Fund (HYDRECS)
• BC Lottery Corporation
• BC Vegetable Greenhouse
• Bentall Real Estate Services
• Best Color Press
• Bob & Pauline Jones
• British Columbia Ferry Services Inc
• British Columbia Lottery Corporation
• Buddha's Light International Association
• Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation
• Campbell Froh May & Rice
• Canada Post
• Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
• Canadian Tire Associate Stores
• Canadian Union of Public Employees
• Canterbury Coffee Corp
• CBC Food Bank Day
• CBI Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Centre
• CHC Helicopter
• Christian Reform Church
• City Outside Workers - CUPE 394
• CKBD - CJJR Radio Basics for Babies
• Coast Capital Community Fund
• Coast Capital Savings Credit Union
• Colley West Shipping Ltd
• Columbia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ltd
• Conway Richmond Ltd
• Corinthian Distributors Ltd
• Cowell Motors Ltd
• CREO Inc
• Crown Contracting Ltd
• Dash BC
• David Ballentine
• Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Assocation
• Dr Neil Zastre Inc
• E.D.S. Custom Paint & Body
• East Richmond Community Association
• ELSA - Richmond School District
• Eva Glittenberg
• Famous Players, Richmond Centre
• First Richmond Christian Reformed Church
• Fran Oeser
• Fujian Evangelical Church
• Gilmore Gardens Residents Council
• Gilmore Park United Church
• Gilmore Park United Church Dream Auction
• Global Television
• GML Mechanical Ltd
• Granby Enterprises Inc & Employees
• Great Canadian Casinos Inc
• Green Shield Canada Foundation
• H and M Christmas Tree Farm
• Helping Hands Club of WorkSafeBC
• Henry Anderson School
• Hodder Tugboat Co Ltd
• Honda Canada Finance Inc
• Hunt Personnel Temporarily Yours
• Ice Breaking Care Society
• Ideajar Design & Consulting
• IKEA
• IKEA Gingerbread House Contest, Tiny Tummies, staff & company
• Imperial Paving Ltd
• Imprint Plus
• India Cultural Centre of Canada
• International Buddhist Temple
• Island Veterinary Hospital
• Jas Dulay & family
• Jazz Hands
• Joachim Neumann
• John & Genevieve Massot
• John Koop
• JRfm Radio 93.7
• Kerry Financial Corporation
• Kiwanis Club of Richmond
• Kodak Graphic Communication Canada Company
• Lakewood Blue Development Ltd
• Leonora Hardy
• Lingyen Mountain Temple
• Lynde Designs Ltd
• MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd
• Manulife Financial
• Margot Fowler
• McKinney Enterprises
• McMath Secondary School
• Milan and Maureen Ilich Foundation
• Nature's Path Foods Inc
• New Image Props & Decor
• K Del Properties Ltd
• Ocean Fisheries Ltd
• Ocean Pearl Enterprises Inc
• Opacity Design Group Limited
• Our Saviour Lutheran Church
• Pacific Friends of Children Society
• Parish of St Anne, Steveston
• Park'N Fly
• Pat & Verne Anderson
• Patrick Cotter Architect
• Pattison Sign Group
• PCL Constructors Canada Inc
• Peter & Judy Ying Sun
• Point Grey Research
• Porte Realty Ltd
• Pro-Claim Restoration
• Purolator Courier and employees
• Raytheon Canada Ltd
• RC Palmer Secondary School
• Reid, Hurst, Nagy
• Richard & Karla Rand
• Richmond Animal Hospital
• Richmond Auto Mall Association
• Richmond Centre Mall
• Richmond Chapter IODE
• Richmond Chinatown Lions Club Society
• Richmond Chinese Community Society
• Richmond Chinese Evangelical Free Church
• Richmond Chrysler Dodge Jeep
• Richmond Community Foundation
• Richmond Country Club Ladies Executive Committee
• Richmond Evangelical Churches Good Friday Service
• Richmond Fire Fighters Association
• Richmond Honda
• Richmond Mandarin Lions Club
• Richmond Pentecostal Church
• Richmond Public Library
• Richmond Public Library CUPE Members
• Richmond Sunrise Rotary Club
• Richmond Youth Concert Band
• Robert Moog
• Roger Barnes
• Rotary Club of Richmond
• S & T Stereo Printers
• Sahara Sisters Group
• Sanford Designs Ltd.
• Sanjay's Foods Ltd
• Scotiabank - Alderbridge Place
• Sea Agra Seafood Brokerage Ltd
• Seafair Minor Hockey Association
• Signature Mazda
• Sound Developments
• South Arm United Church
• St Alban's Anglican Church
• St Joseph the Worker Parish
• St. John Ambulance
• Staub Electronics Ltd
• Steveston - London Secondary School
• Steveston Community Centre Society
• Steveston United Church
• Strayton Fitness Ltd dba Curves
• Sutton Group - Seafair Realty
• Team Telus Cares
• Telecommunications Workers Union Local 60     
• TELUS Network Operations
• The Hydrecs Fund
• The Rotary Club of Steveston
• The World of Stamps
• Tickle Me Pickle Improv Show
• Tigertel Communications
• Tzu Chi Foundation Canada
• Union of BC Municipalities        
• United Commercial Travellers
• United Way of the Lower Mainland
• United Way of the Lower Mainland - Success by 6         
• UPS Canada
• Vancouver Airport Conference Resort
• Vancouver Cathay Lions Club
• Vector Aerospace Helicopter Service    
• Verna & Bill Porteous
• Virgin Radio & 650 CISL
• Walter Lee School
• Westwind Elementary School    
• Whiteside School         
• Wild West Organics
• Work Safe BC   

The Army, Navy & Airforce Veterans, Unit 284 are the recipients of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce's "Association of the Year" award which recognizes their outstanding work in the community. The ANAF Vets have been strong supporters of the Food Bank for our 25 year existence through their weekly meat draws.

February, 2004 - The WCB's Helping Hands group approved our grant application to purchase an electric forklift and pallet racking. Dave and the group kindly took part in a photo session at the food bank. There was also a ceremonial presentation to all the groups receiving special project grant funds from the WCB Helping Hands Club. These groups included The Vancouver Food Bank, an AIDS support group and others.

We would like to thank those who helped with the office network and website. Thanks to Tim Chan for designing the website; Alec Home-Douglas for restructuring the site and for the ongoing technical advice; and thanks to Daniel Dent of OmegaSphere for web site hosting.