May
May 2026 Newsletter
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and at Friends In Need Food Bank, we're working to support the mental well-being of our community through various initiatives and resources. Please keep reading to learn more about our highlights!
Our Impact
April was one of our busiest months yet. We are continuing to experience a growing demand for food support throughout Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. As the cost of groceries, fuel and everyday essentials continues to rise, more families, seniors and employed individuals are relying on the food bank to help make ends meet.
Thanks to your support, here's what we accomplished in April:
TELUS Friendly Future Foundation Awards $20,000 to Friends In Need
Friends In Need Food Bank is proud to share that we have been awarded a $20,000 Community Board Grant from TELUS Friendly Future Foundation. This funding will help us continue supporting individuals and families across Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows who are experiencing food insecurity, ensuring access to nutritious food when it is needed most. As demand continues to grow and resources are being stretched, partnerships like this are critical. This grant will directly support our programs and strengthen our ability to serve our community with dignity and care.
We are incredibly grateful to TELUS and TELUS Friendly Future Foundation for their commitment to building stronger, more connected communities and for investing in the work we do everyday. Together, we are creating meaningful impact and helping ensure that no one in our community goes hungry.
Community Support In Action: Thank you Chances Casino!
We wanted to take this moment in our newsletter to say a huge thank you to Chances Casino Maple Ridge for supporting our community through their recent donations, we received $1,328 along with 140 pounds of food to help support our distribution.
Every contribution helps strengthen our programs, support food recovery efforts, and increases our chances in responding to the increasing demand in our community.
Congratulations to FIN's 2026 Home Show Raffle Winners!
Congratulations to our three Home Show raffle winners - Sandi, Kaleb and Brian! A huge thank you to our generous community partners at Save-On-Foods and Real Canadian Superstore for donating the amazing gift baskets feature at our Friends In Need Food Bank booth. Also, a special thank you for our amazing volunteers who make it all possible!
Each week, Friends in Need support hundreds of families a week across our community. Want to support our work? Visit our Donation Page! Every contribution goes a long way in making a difference in the lives of those in need. Join us in creating a brighter future for all by donating today.
The Human Impact Behind Food Bank Support
This Mental Health Awareness Month, we're sharing stories from Food Banks BC that reflect the realities many individuals and families face across our communities. From personal stories about the lasting impact community food bank support to growing concerns around rising demand and declining donations, these pieces highlight the importance of working together. Values that continue to guide the work we do every day at Friends In Need Food Bank.
One story follows Jeret Hold who reflects on the quiet support his family received from their local food bank growing up and how those moments of compassion and stability stayed with him long into adulthood. Another recent CBC article highlights the growing pressures food banks are facing, including record-high demand, rising living costs, and declining donations across communities like Maple Ridge.
Together, these stories serve as an important reminder that food banks provide more than food, they offer stability, compassion and hope during difficult times.