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October Newsletter 
 
September Community Impact
Our September Wrapped shows the growing need in our community: 58 new clients registered, 2,922 food bank visits, and 2,165 individuals supported. Thanks to our Perishable Food Recovery Program, more than 62,000 meals were provided while significantly reducing CO₂ emissions. Your generosity makes this impact possible!
122.7K kg
CO2e reduced 
62.9K
Meals Provided
50.3K kg
Food Rescued
1,004
Households Served
2,165
Individuals Served
58
New Clients Registered
2,922
Visits to the Food bank
 
Community Highlights
BC Thanksgiving Food Drive
An incredible week of community impact — 115 volunteers, 5,985 bags delivered, and 621 households participating. Thanks to your collective effort, more than 8,000 lbs of food were gathered to support families in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
 
A heartfelt thank‑you goes to Josh and the outstanding team at Meridian Meats & Meridian Farm Market. Their leadership, partnership, and commitment to the BC Thanksgiving Food Drive played a major role in the success of this year’s campaign, and we’re deeply grateful for the support they continue to show our community.
Purolator Red Bag Tackle Hunger Event
Through the Purolator Red Bag Tackle Hunger event in Pitt Meadows, neighbours contributed over 4,000 lbs of food, helping support families who rely on Friends In Need each week.
 
To everyone who filled a Red Bag, thank you for showing up for your neighbours. And to the volunteers who spent hours delivering bags, driving routes, lifting donations, and sorting food with huge hearts — your commitment makes these drives possible.
A Big Thank you to The Harris Pumpkin Patch!
Grateful for our amazing community. The Harris Pumpkin Patch once again showed how local kindness can create real impact — helping raise $625 and collect 930 lbs of food for families in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. Their generosity, and yours, helps us keep shelves stocked and hope growing for the neighbours who rely on us each week.
 
Thank you for continuing to lift up your community and making moments like this possible.
 
Upcoming/Ongoing Fall Events 
Annual General Meeting | Oct 28th 
Friends In Need Food Bank is hosting our Annual General Meeting at 5:30pm on October 28th and we’d love to have you join us. This is an opportunity to learn about our impact, hear updates on programs and services, and connect with the people who help make our work possible. Community members and supporters are encouraged to attend. More details to come!
Downtown Maple Ridge Business Improvement Association Food Drive | September 28th-Oct 31st

The Downtown Maple Ridge BIA Food Drive is already halfway through!

From September 28 to October 31, participating businesses in Pitt Meadows will be collecting non‑perishable food donations to help families facing rising food costs and food insecurity.

If you’re out shopping, grabbing a coffee, or visiting a local business, you can drop off a donation and make a meaningful difference.
 
We are Finalists in The 2026 Innovation Challenge
 

We’re excited to share some big news — Friends In Need Food Bank is officially a finalist in the City of Maple Ridge’s Innovation Challenge. This challenge highlights local groups who are trying new ideas and creative approaches to make our community stronger, and we’re thrilled to be recognized.

The winner will be announced on Monday, October 19, at The Patch Brewery, and we can’t wait to be part of the celebration. Our very own Evan Seal (general manager) was featured in our video submission — check out what he has to say about our Food Bank
 
Check Out Our Video!
 
Interesting Reads
Rising hunger puts pressure on Canadian community organizations as good food goes to waste: Survey  

Grocery Business
Read More
Food Banks BC Annual Report
2025-2026

FBBC
Read More
 
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Main | #8-Dewdney Trunk Rd, Maple Ridge
admin@friendsneedfood.com
604-466-3663