Free food pantry launches in Maple Ridge neighbourhood

Maple Ridge resident Gina Bishop has launched a free food pantry in the Hammond neighbourhood after seeing more people seek food help on Facebook. The 53-year-old mother and grandmother said an anonymous post from someone seeking returnable containers to buy dinner for their family prompted her to act.

Bishop received City of Maple Ridge permission to install the pantry on Maple Crescent near Ditton Street, west of the New Maple Market convenience store. Greg and Noreen built and painted the 1.5-metre-tall structure, and a city crew helped set it in concrete on Thursday, Sept. 3. Bishop stocked it the next day, and someone took some food within hours without emptying the shelves.

Named Aria’s Hammond Free Little Food Pantry after Bishop’s granddaughter, the pantry allows people to take what they need or leave donations without registration. Bishop plans to stock it daily and bring remaining food indoors at night to avoid attracting wildlife. A camera monitors the pantry around the clock for security.

The city approved the project as a one-year pilot, which Bishop hopes to renew. If successful, she hopes to establish five or six pantries across Maple Ridge so people without vehicles can reach them by transit or on foot.

Bishop is seeking donations of non-perishable and dried goods, including rice, lentils, baby cereal, baby formula, jars of baby food, soups, pasta, pasta sauce, canned chicken, tuna, salmon, ham, beans, mixed vegetables and fruit, as well as diapers and children’s lunch snacks. Donations can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. at The Dartford Liquor Store, 11232 Dartford St., Maple Ridge. More information is available at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1744436430131080 .