Featured

October 7, 2019

Starfish Changes

(1 minute read)

By Meghan Kellington & Rebecca Thuro

 

The Starfish Pack Program has been buzzing lately, preparing for the new school year’s deliveries to start. It’s crazy to think that less than 10 years ago, Starfish was delivering 6 backpacks to one school in Abbotsford, and now over 1400 children across the province of British Columbia (and Whatcom County, WA) are receiving Starfish backpacks each weekend thanks to hundreds of volunteers and donors. 

 

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August 14, 2019

Summer Starfish is Back Again!

(2 minute read)
By Meghan Kellington

 

When you think of your childhood, what memories come to mind when you hear the words Summer Holidays? Maybe you think of the excitement of being out of school and getting to play all day with your friends. Maybe you think of camping, family vacations, or attending different types of kid’s camps. Sunshine, swimming, adventures, fun. But for some children and families in Abbotsford, instead of thinking about the fun summer they are going to have, they are thinking, “Are we going to have enough money to be able to afford groceries?” or “When am I going to have food to eat during the summer?”

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May 23, 2019

We Love Fresh Food

(2 minute read)

By Matt Loewen

 

Visiting the Food Bank can be a humbling experience. On days when there is fresh produce to give out, the Food Bank provides dignity of choice and a glimmer of normalcy for the vulnerable individuals and families who come for food.

 

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February 14, 2019

Volunteering is for Everyone

(3 Minute Read)

By Meghan Franklin

 

Until I started working here, I didn’t realize how much team work it takes to keep the food bank operating every day. It really takes an army of passionate, hardworking, team oriented people to come together and feed our community. I have been blown away by the sheer volume of volunteers that make up the majority of the Food Bank team. We have different volunteer teams each morning and afternoon, Monday through Thursday. From stocking shelves, to making hampers, sorting and packaging food, and greeting guests at the door or the distribution window, our volunteers are really the MVP’s that keep the blood pumping through the veins of how to food bank operates.

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January 15, 2019

2018 Christmas Wrap Up

Wow, another successful year! We define success, in large part, by the stories of gratitude that have been shared with us by both those who have been helped and those who have been able to extend help this Christmas. And guess what, we have SO MANY STORIES this year. Each year we face different challenges to make the Abbotsford Christmas Bureau a reality. This year was no different, from the loss of a distribution location to medical emergencies – the start of this season was a little shaky.

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December 5, 2018

Help Make this Christmas Memorable

Christmas is a season full of hope, joy and wonder. It represents time spent with family, friends and the opportunity to spoil those we love the most. But for many in our community, it can also be difficult – especially if you have trouble putting food on the table. Thankfully, a gift to the Abbotsford Food Bank & Christmas Bureau can change that.

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November 27, 2018

Record Breaking Year

(7 min read)
By Rebecca Thuro

The magical feeling of Christmas was tangible during the 2018 Toys for Tots Christmas Breakfast. As the event organizer, each year during the planning process I have the little voice that says “what if there isn’t enough this year”. I’d imagine this is the question many hold in their hearts as they enter the holiday season. For families that use the Christmas Bureau not having enough isn’t just a fear, it’s a reality. Thankfully, I am so happy to announce that because of the big heartedness of our community we will once again be able to fully support each family that needs to turn to the Christmas Bureau.

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October 22, 2018

Claudia’s Story: From a Mexican Circus to Living in Canada

(3 minute read)

Claudia’s life has been full of challenges. At age 12 she was kicked out of her home in Mexico and lived on the streets for over a year before finding a welcoming family in a traveling circus. At the circus, Claudia did everything from selling popcorn and cleaning trailers to making costumes and juggling rings. During her time traveling with the circus she had her first son before eventually meeting a Canadian man who would become her husband.

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September 28, 2018

Starfish Summer Wrap Up

(2 Minute Read)

This summer was very eventful for the Starfish Pack Program. We were able to offer Summer Starfish Packs to children and their families for the first time ever! Now heading into the fall, and the school year being in full swing, we have been able to expand even more. We are working towards our goal of increasing our numbers to 300 packs in Abbotsford, and are even in the works of expanding Starfish to high schools for the first time through a new pantry program!

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September 7, 2018

Summing up Summer Camps 2018

(2-Minute Read) By Meghan Franklin

 

As the summer wraps up and the kids are back to school, we can’t help but reflect on the successful summer it has been for our kids. The children whose families are clients of our food bank had the opportunity to attend different types of summer camps because of our community’s generosity.

 

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August 7, 2018

Noah’s Journey Part 2

(2.5-Minute Read)

By Meghan Franklin

We first met Noah two years ago when her story with us at the Abbotsford Food Bank’s free dental clinic began. As you may remember, Noah had grown up being bullied about her teeth, which drastically impacted her self-esteem. She went from having a carefree childhood, to worrying about hiding her smile from everyone around her. When Noah was in middle school she struggled with severe anxiety, which made going to school, interacting with peers or teachers, and having her photo taken extremely difficult. Noah knew that the root of what was causing this was her teeth, but she did not have access to any way to change this.

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July 5, 2018

Starfish Packs Exciting Updates

(2.5-Minute Read)
By Lucas Driediger

Big Things are in the Works!

From extending Starfish through the summer, to increasing the amount of children we support, there is a lot going on in the world of Starfish! Whether you are eager to fight poverty, or just want a feel good story, this blog is for you.

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March 12, 2018

The Beginning of Recovery Starts with Food

(3-Minute Read)
By Rebecca Thuro

We are continuing our conversation about connecting families through Food Bank Satellites. Today, we’re introducing you to another service partner that reaches men who might otherwise go without food.

Meet our friends at the George Schmidt Centre. This is a housing project by BC Housing that includes 30 units of self-contained apartments for men who have gone through recovery and treatment. The men are expected to maintain a clean and sober lifestyle and be employed, looking for work or receiving training or upgrading.

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February 26, 2018

Meet HillCity

(2 Minute Read)
By Rebecca Thuro

HillCity is the only Food Bank Satellite located on a church property. They take their role seriously. The Abbotsford Food Bank has limited operational hours and we looked specifically for a satellite location that would be able to accommodate after-hours food support. Hill City answered that call.

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February 8, 2018

Golf Tournament for ACS

 

Did you know that the Abbotsford Food Bank is one of 90 programs of Abbotsford Community Services?

We need your help in supporting this amazing work. Join us at the 2nd annual Charity Golf Tournament on June 26, 2018. The tournament will be held at the beautiful Ledgeview Golf & Country Club – the ‘Jewel of the Fraser Valley.’

If you are a golfer, this event is for you! Last year was a hit. Click the icon below for more details!

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