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.

 

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

Abby Toys for Tots Christmas Breakfast 2018

(2-Minute Read) By Meghan Franklin

Our 6th Annual Toys for Tots Christmas Breakfast is just around the corner, and we can’t wait! We have been excitedly preparing and planning for Friday, November 23rd. If you have never attended one of these events, you are in for a treat! Toys for Tots Christmas Breakfast is a fun family friendly event that kicks off the Christmas season. Join us anytime from 6:00 am to 9:30 am at the Quality Hotel for a delicious hot breakfast, crafts, photo booth, a visit with Santa, live Christmas carols and local entertainment brought to us by Sevenoaks Shopping Centre. Everyone is invited to participate. All we ask is that you bring a new toy for any age or a monetary donation to the event to benefit the Abbotsford Christmas Bureau and Food Bank.

Read More

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.

Read More

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!

Read More

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.

 

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More