Two September food drives planned for Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows

Friends In Need Food Bank Society is asking Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows residents to support two major food drives in September as demand for assistance remains high. The organization is serving nearly 1,000 local households a week, more than 74 per cent above its July 2021 level, while donations have declined.

The BC Thanksgiving Food Drive runs Sept. 14 to 19. Volunteers will distribute donation bags during the week and return to participating homes on Sept. 19 to collect them. Each neighbourhood route covers about 150 homes and requires an estimated two to three hours between distribution and collection. Volunteers can register at fooddrivemapleridg.wixsite.com/2026 or email fooddrivemapleridgeward@gmail.com.

Purolator’s Red Bag Campaign in Pitt Meadows will distribute bags Sept. 19 and collect them Sept. 26, with activities planned at Spirit Square on both dates. Prospective volunteers can contact Sasha Talusig at Sasha.Talusig@purolator.com or 778-777-7633.

The food bank is particularly seeking non-perishable foods including canned soups, tuna and salmon, pasta, peanut butter, beans, rice and cereal, as well as diapers, unopened unexpired formula, shelf-stable milk, canned proteins and pet food.