BC Thanksgiving Food Drive 2022
By Hajira Hussain in Community Events on September 19, 2022
The Richmond Food Bank Society is looking forward to 14th annual BC Thanksgiving Food Drive that takes place from September 19th-24th, this year. This province wide initiative raises thousands of pounds of quality non perishable food, in support of food banks across BC. The goal this year is to raise over 600,000lbs of non perishable food for 50 cities throughout BC, in a safe and efficient manner.
With Covid-19 still among us, every effort will be made to make the initiative safe for all while raising enough food for our neighbours in need. Rising food prices and the high cost of renting is driving record numbers of people to access their local food bank. Like most other food banks, the Richmond Food Bank is also struggling to keep up with the increased need and relying on the generosity of the community members to keep the food bank shelves stocked. The food drive – paired with monetary donations enable the food bank to make necessary food purchases and meet the increased need for grocery assistance.
“Every year, our community has stepped up during this food drive with generous amounts of quality nonperishable food. We need Richmond to continue to support us now more than ever. Due to the current inflation, we are seeing record number of people accessing grocery assistance than ever before” said Hajira Hussain – Executive Director of the Richmond Food Bank Society. Last year, Richmond residents raised over 11,000 lbs of non-perishable food that helped keep the shelves stocked all through the holiday months. The Richmond Food Bank assists over 2,200 individuals each week by providing perishable and nonperishable groceries through 4 regular distributions, 2 off-site depots and as well as through the home delivery program.
Richmond residents can expect to find paper bags at their door steps starting the week of September 19th. Residents are encouraged to place their nonperishable food donations in the paper bag and place the bag in front of their main door (visible from the driveway) before 9am on Saturday September 24th. Volunteer drivers will pick up the donations on designated routes and deliver it to the Richmond Food Bank. You can also drop off food donation bags between 10am and 3pm at the Richmond Food Bank’s main location at 5800 Cedarbridge Way, or in a food bank donation bin at your nearest grocery store. Many local grocery stores are also selling pre-packed donation hampers filled with our most needed items. Once you purchase a donation hamper, you can let the cashier know and they can place the hamper in the food bank donation bin.
The Richmond Food Bank appreciates all donations of nutritious, unopened, and non-perishable food items. Our Most Needed Items include rice, pasta, pasta sauce, canned milk, protein (meat, fish, peanut butter), canned beans, canned fruits and canned vegetables. Individuals wishing to support us directly by making a monetary donation can do so over the phone, by mailing a cheque made out to the Richmond Food Bank Society, or through our secure online donation form on our website. We are also accepting e-transfers to treasurer@richmondfoodbank.org. The Richmond Food Bank does not solicit cash donations door-to-door.
Thank you to everyone who donates during the BC Thanksgiving Food Drive. We are so grateful for your support of our neighbours in need. And a big thank you to the BC Thanksgiving Food Drive volunteers for their help in organizing the food drive, preparing and delivering the bags, and picking up the donations for the food bank. The success of this food drive is hugely dependent on the amazing support of our community.
For more information on the food drive, please visit the website www.bctfooddrive.org or call our office at (604) 271-5609.
Media Contact:
Hajira Hussain-Executive Director
Richmond Food Bank Society
info@richmondfoodbank.org
