Get Food
The Richmond Food Bank is available to help Richmond residents who are experiencing financial difficulties. We work on the honour system, without an income or means test. The food we offer has been donated by the community to help people in need.
Register online
New clients: Please Register Online before your first food bank visit using the form below. People in the same household should register together on the same form. If you have trouble with the form, you can also register in-person on your first visit.
If there are more than 4 people in your household, please ask us in person to add them to your household record on your first visit (please bring their IDs). You can view our complete privacy policy here.
Once you have registered online, please come to our main location (#100-5800 Cedarbridge Way) on either Monday, Wednesday, or Saturday from 11am-2pm. Bring ID for each person in your household and proof of residency on your first visit.
When and where can I pick up food?
Clients can pick up food once per week per household.
Effective May 4th, 2023, distribution hours at all of our locations are:
- #100-5800 Cedarbridge Way: Monday, Wednesday & Saturday from 11:00am to 2:00pm
- #100-5800 Cedarbridge Way Seniors Only (55+): Thursday from 11:00am to 2:00pm
- West Richmond Express (corner of No. 1 and Francis): Monday from 3:30pm to 5pm
- Daniels Road Depot (11571 Daniels Rd): Tuesday from 3:30pm to 5pm
- Church on Five Depot (10200 No. 5 Rd): Wednesday from 4:30pm to 5:30pm
We are closed on Statutory Holidays.
Please do not arrive before we open. You will not receive extra food or be served first by arriving first (we will do a random number draw if there is a lineup at opening time).
What do I need to bring to collect food?
- ID for everyone in your household who needs food. This can be any government issued ID such as a driver’s license, BCID, passport, Care Card, birth certificate, citizenship card, Canadian permanent resident card, Record of Landing Form, immigration documents (e.g., Work Permit, Study Permit, Visitor Record, Temporary Resident Permit, Refugee Approved Status), or Status Card.
- Proof that you live in Richmond, such as a recently dated piece of mail, letter from a community or governmental agency, or rental receipt. You must bring your proof of address every time you pick up food. Please call us or talk to a staff member if you can’t show a piece of mail.
- Your own grocery bags.
If you are picking up food for someone else (such as a friend, neighbour, or anybody else outside of your own household), please bring the ID of the person you are collecting for. The person you are collecting food for must be a registered client of the food bank. Please call us with questions.
What should I expect when I come to the food bank?
When you arrive, you may need to wait to be served. Please be respectful of others and do not smoke while in line. Access to the washroom will be restricted (no public washroom is available).
Groceries will include foods from a variety of categories, including:
- pasta/rice/noodles
- tinned/canned meals
- tinned vegetables/fruits
- fresh produce (fruit and vegetables)
- dairy (or non-dairy substitutes as available)
- fresh or frozen meat/protein foods
- baked goods
If you’re curious about what Best Before and Expiry dates mean, and our policies around them, please read this post or Contact Us.
How do we use the information we collect?
The Richmond Food Bank respects client information and keeps it private. Only trained individuals who have signed a confidentiality agreement can access our client database, and must keep the information private.
We use client information for specific reasons including:
• To Run and Improve Our Programs: For example, tracking the number of client visits each week.
• To Do Research: We may use client information for research. All information remains anonymous and will only be shared with qualified persons.
• To Connect Clients with Other Programs: At a client’s request only, we may share personal information to check eligibility for other benefits or programs.
• To Report Abuse or Harm: We are required by law to provide information to law enforcement in certain cases, for example, if a client causes harm to a member of our staff/volunteer team or to another client, or damages our property. We may also share client information in case of a threat to the public.
