PRESS RELEASE – JULY 11, 2023

FRIENDS IN NEED NEEDS YOU!!

The Friends in Need Food Bank has been running out of food due to the increase in need in our communities and Purolator has stepped up to help replenish its stock. Since 2003, Purolator Tackle Hunger (PTH) has been raising food and funds with more than 20 million pounds of food delivered for communities in need. 

“2023 is our 20th anniversary, and we’ve set our biggest goal yet: to raise two million pounds this year for food banks across Canada.” Says Chanelle Bradshaw, Purolator’s Community Coordiator. “We are very excited to partner with Friends in Need and utilize our resources to help collect as much food, and monetary donations possible for Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.” 

Together Purolator and Friends in Need with the support of the City of Maple Ridge, the City of Pitt Meadows, the Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce (RMCC), and the Downtown Maple Ridge Business Improvement Association (DMRBIA) are organizing a food drive involving the business community for the last week of July. Purolator drivers will be dropping off donation boxes on Monday, July 24 to participating businesses which will ask their employees, customers, and clients to bring donations of non-perishable foods during that week. Donations will be picked up by Purolator on Monday July 31 and delivered to Friends in Need. If your business would like to participate, please fill out the form using this link - Friends in Need need you!

The DMRBIA is a constant supporter of Friends in Need Food Bank and agreed to join forces to “Tackle Hunger”. “We need community support now more than ever,” said Flori Chaykowski, Executive Director. “When we shout out on shopping and supporting local, this is a huge part of that. Our business community will step up and support these types of organizations when called upon to do so.”

"It is deeply concerning to hear that the Friends in Need Food Bank is running out of food", commented Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Kristi Maier. “Food banks play a critical role in supporting individuals and families facing food insecurity, and it is distressing when their resources become depleted.”

The Chamber will be a drop-off location for anyone who is looking to donate. Chamber President, Jerry Kok has also expressed the importance of supporting our local food bank and will also be a drop-off location in Pitt Meadows at Driving Unlimited. "No one should have to go hungry; we need to be there for one another and support where we can". The RMCC will be shopping at local members over the next few weeks and provide a food donation. 

“We are excited that the business community is coming together to support this food drive as it is much needed right now. Summer is the quietest month for donations, but the need does not take a holiday.” Commented Mary Robson, Executive Director of Friends in Need. 

And in August, Purolator will return to our community to help organize another food drive involving households. Volunteers are needed to take a route and deliver Purolator Tackles Hunger bags to houses on Saturday August 26 and then return to the same route on September 2. If you would like to help with this food drive and want an assigned a route, please email – administration@friendsneedfood.com

Cash Donations can be made at Canada Helps using this QR Code.