Friends In Need Food Bank

06/25/2026

Some birthdays are celebrated with gifts. Others are celebrated by giving back.

This incredible young community member chose to spend his birthday making a difference, raising and donating $208 to Friends In Need Food Bank Society.

Your kindness and generosity will help provide nutritious food to individuals and families in our community who need it most. Thank you for showing that you're never too young to make a big impact.

Happy Birthday, and thank you for inspiring us all! (With permission photo posted).🎉

06/24/2026

We can't say enough when local community partners come together to speak and raise awareness on behalf of our food bank! Thank you so much Caballero Sales and Service Ltd for supporting our initiative! We are feeling the love!😁

Shoutout to the Maple Ridge car crew — you rolled in, hung out, and helped raise $206.30 for the Friends In Need Food Bank at our June 14 Chrome & Classic event.
Not bad for an afternoon of shiny fenders and hot dogs.

Good people. Good rides. Good impact.

06/22/2026

A huge thank you to Meadowridge School for their incredible support of Friends In Need Food Bank!

Through their hard work, dedication, and community spirit, students took the initiative to organize a fundraising effort that raised an amazing $10,665 for our organization.

We are inspired by these young leaders who recognized a need in their community and chose to make a difference. Their generosity will help provide food and support to individuals and families facing food insecurity throughout Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.

Thank you, Meadow Ridge Middle School, for showing that you are never too young to create a meaningful impact. We are truly grateful for your support! ❤️

From seed to sale, our Middle School students turned learning into impact.

Today, students presented a cheque for $10,665 to the Friends In Need Food Bank—funds raised through this year’s Meadowridge Farmers Market. Through the Explorations Program, students planned, created, marketed, and sold products, all while supporting an important local cause.

Thank you to everyone who attended, purchased items, and helped make this incredible contribution possible. Together, we’re growing more than gardens—we’re growing community.

06/19/2026

According to recent research from Food Banks Canada, nearly 1 in 5 food bank users are employed, a significant increase from just a few years ago. Rising housing costs, grocery prices, transportation expenses, and other essential bills are leaving many working individuals and families struggling to make ends meet.

Food insecurity doesn't always look the way people expect. It can affect:
✔️ Working families
✔️ Seniors on fixed incomes
✔️ Students
✔️ People receiving disability supports
✔️ Individuals facing unexpected life changes

Nationally, food bank usage has reached record levels, with nearly 2.2 million visits to food banks in a single month, and food bank use has doubled since 2019.

Here in our community, we continue to see more people accessing support who never imagined they would need a food bank.

Food insecurity is not a personal failure. It's often the result of rising costs outpacing incomes.

06/18/2026

DID YOU KNOW?
According to the recent Poverty Report Card from Food Banks BC, many people across our province are facing growing financial pressures due to the rising cost of housing, food, transportation, and other basic necessities.

The report highlights that affordability continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing British Columbians. For many households, even a small unexpected expense can create significant financial hardship.

Food insecurity is often the result of these broader pressures.

Food banks exist because access to food is essential, yet for far too many people it is becoming increasingly difficult to afford. Behind every statistic is a person, a family, a senior, a student, or a worker doing their best to navigate a challenging economic reality.

Here at Friends In Need Food Bank, more than 1,000 households relied on our services in May alone.

💭 What do you think is placing the biggest strain on household budgets right now?
🥕 Groceries
🏠 Housing
⛽ Transportation
💡 Utilities
💊 Healthcare

06/12/2026

🚗 **Volunteer Delivery Drivers Needed!** 🧡

Friends In Need Food Bank is looking for **2 volunteer delivery drivers** to help with our **Home Delivery Program**, supporting clients who are unable to attend the food bank in person.

This is a small time commitment with a big community impact.

📅 **Every Thursday**
⏰ Typically **1 hour between 9:00 AM and noon**
📍 Serving Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows residents in need

Volunteer requirements:
✅ Able to lift up to 50 lbs
✅ Provide a driver’s abstract
✅ Complete a criminal records check — **paid for by Friends In Need Food Bank**

To apply, please email:
📧 **[email protected]**

Visit: friendsneedfood.com/volunteering

Thank you for helping us deliver more than food — you’re delivering care, dignity, and support to neighbours in need. 🧡

06/10/2026

Food Banks Canada has released its updated national food valuation for 2026.

The average value of donated food has increased from **$3.64 per pound ($8.02/kg)** in 2025 to **$3.71 per pound ($8.17/kg)** in 2026.

What does this mean? Every pound of food donated has a measurable impact on helping feed individuals and families in our community. As food costs continue to rise, the value of every donation continues to grow.

Thank you to our donors, volunteers, retailers, and community partners who help make this possible every day.

06/09/2026

The latest Poverty Report Card from Food Banks Canada highlights the growing pressures many Canadians are facing through housing affordability, income insecurity, and the rising cost of living.🌍

While food insecurity may not always be directly reflected in these report cards, we see the impact of these challenges every single day at the food bank. Behind the statistics are real people — seniors on fixed incomes, working families, individuals facing unexpected hardship, and community members who never imagined they would need support.

Food insecurity is deeply connected to the social determinants of health. When people cannot consistently access nutritious food, it affects physical health, mental well-being, child development, dignity, and overall quality of life.🍉

Food banks have become more than emergency support — for many, they are now an essential part of getting through the month. The growing need in our community continues to show why conversations around poverty must also include access to food. Check it out on Food Bank BC's website. Or the link below!

What changes do you think communities and governments need to make to better address food insecurity and poverty in Canada?



https://foodbankscanada.ca/poverty-report-card/

06/08/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Vancity Credit Union for selecting us a recipient of their Community Branch Grant in the amount of $2,000.👏

Support like this helps us continue providing nutritious food, outreach, and compassionate support to individuals, families, and seniors throughout Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. As the need in our community continues to grow, partnerships like these truly make a meaningful difference in helping us continue our daily operations and support those facing food insecurity.

Thank you for investing back into the community and standing alongside local organizations working to make a difference every day. 🍽

06/05/2026

🎉 Come see us at the Pitt Meadows Day Parade! 🎉

We’ll be out celebrating with the community — and yes, we’ll be shaking our tin cans for donations to help support local families facing food insecurity. 🥫💚

Every dollar and every donation helps us continue providing food support to individuals, seniors, children, and working families across Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.

Be sure to wave hello, cheer us on, and if you’re able, help fill our cans with support for the community! Together, we can make a real difference. 👋