Stella is staying resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic

An independent and resilient woman in her 60’s, Stella is thriving against all odds.  

Before the pandemic, Stella’s friends asked her if she wanted to become a Greater Vancouver Food Bank client, but Stella said: “No, I’m working, I’m earning, I’m not going to avail that benefit and blessing.” 

Little did Stella know, she would lose her job a few months after, and she asked her friends to take her to the GVFB. 

“I don’t go to the GVFB every week, but when I need it, I really appreciate knowing I don’t have to go to bed hungry,” Stella said. “One of my neighbours has cancer, and she isn’t able to leave her apartment, so when I receive extra food from the GVFB, I always share with her.” 

Your donations are supporting active seniors like Stella every single day. Click here to read Stella’s full story. 


Children’s Program: Baby Steps update

After redesigning our Preschooler Packs and launching our brand new Grade Schooler Packs, we explored ways to improve our Baby Steps program as well. In March 2021, we launched a more nutritionally rich and appropriate menu for babies from 13 to 24-months-old.  

Previously, babies from birth to 12-months-old and babies from 13 to 24-months-old were receiving the same items.  

Using client feedback and developmental guidelines, we have reduced the amount of baby cereal and added some baby-friendly biscuits like Arrowroots for babies from birth to 12-months-old. And for babies from 13 to 24-months-old, we replaced the formula with more age-appropriate homogenized milk, and added some nutritious first foods such as cheese, yogurt, oatmeal and fruit. The babies love it! 


Your donation provides all the tools Daniel and his team needs

Motivated, fun, and diverse! These are just some of the adjectives to describe the people on our Food Distribution Team.  

Daniel joined the GVFB as a Distribution Coordinator about two months ago. Daniel’s hard work and determination have earned him a promotion to Distribution Team Lead. With Daniel’s restaurant management background, he thoroughly understands how to use his customer service skills to make each and every GVFB client comfortable when picking up food – an experience that has often been “stigmatized.”  

Daniel thanks our donors for their donations that go towards purchasing all the things we need in addition to food, to support our clients each day. “I carry this Exacto knife around my neck because I need to unpack hundreds of boxes of food each day. We can’t be as efficient as we are now without tools and equipment like our pallet jacks, shrink wrap machines and more.” All of these things play an important role in creating a positive, efficient experience for our clients every day.   

Thank you, Daniel and the whole Food Distribution Team, for your dedication and hard work! 


NEW Awards!

We are honoured to announce that we are one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers and one of BC’s Top 100 Employers!

Now celebrating its 20th year, the Canada’s Top 100 Employers project is a Canada-wide competition to determine which employers lead their industries in offering exceptional workplaces for their employees. 

It’s a very proud moment for us to receive this award because our organization has transformed dramatically over the last few years, which speaks to how we value our employees. Looking into the future we will continue to seek feedback from our employees on ways to make our workplace better, and remain an employer of choice. 


GVFB’s 1st Annual Fore For Food Golf Tournament

Come join us in our first annual Fore for Food – A Day of Golf with the Greater Vancouver Food Bank! It will be a COVID-safe day of golf that will include 18 holes of world-class golf at Redwoods Golf Course, power carts, lunch on the course, dinner with your foursome after your round, raffle prizes, an online auction, and more! Tee times will be staggered throughout the day, allowing you and your guests a more flexible experience. We may be limited in some of the ‘normal’ Golf Tournament fun, but we’re going to make sure you have a great day on the links, no matter what! 

Date: Wednesday, July 28, 2021
Time: Tee Times throughout the day, subject to availability at time of confirmation.
Location: Redwoods Golf Course, 22011 88th Avenue, Langley 

If you would like to purchase a foursome or become a sponsor, please click here.


Remember Karina?

Karina and her family were facing hardships brought on by the pandemic and were receiving weekly support from the GVFB. We frequently check in with Karina to see how she and her family are doing. Click here to read Karina’s story. 

Recently, we discovered that she found a new job in Purchasing and that she no longer requires food support!  

It’s been a roller coaster ride for Karina and her family: needing food, finding a job, losing the job due to the pandemic, and finding a job once again. Like many other families, Karina has been working very hard towards not having to depend on the GVFB. We are here to provide support whenever our clients need it. THANK YOU to all of our donors for making this possible!