September 19, 2020 – Richmond BC: The Richmond Food Bank Society is looking forward to the BC Thanksgiving Food Drive that raises thousands of pounds of food each year for food banks across BC. During these uncertain times, every effort will be made to make the initiative contactless and safe for all while raising enough food for our neighbours in need.

The 12th annual BC Thanksgiving Food Drive will support food banks across BC. The goal this year is to raise over 500,000 pounds of food for 50 cities throughout BC in a safe and efficient manner. Due to COVID-19, many food banks are struggling to keep their shelves stocked with food. The food drive – paired with monetary donations allowing food banks to make necessary purchases – will hopefully help to alleviate the pressure being felt by food banks as more and more people turn to them for their daily grocery needs.

“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. With government supports ending later this month, we are anticipating an increased need for food assistance and are gearing up to meet the need,” said Hajira Hussain -Executive Director of the Richmond Food Bank Society. Last year, Richmond residents donated a total of 11,000 pounds of nonperishable food that helped to keep the shelves stocked through the holiday months. The Richmond Food Bank assists over 1400 individuals by providing perishable and nonperishable grocery assistance every week through our grocery distribution, express pick-up and home delivery programs.

Richmond residents can expect to find paper bags at their door steps starting the week of September 21st. 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 26th. 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.

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.

For more information on the food drive, please visit the website www.bctfooddrive.org or call our office at (604) 271-5609.

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, including everyone helping to organize the food drive, prepare and deliver the fliers and bags, and pick up donations on September 26th. 

Media Contact:
Hajira Hussain-Executive Director
Richmond Food Bank Society
info@richmondfoodbank.org