May 2nd, 2022
For Immediate Release
Burnaby, BC – BC Mayors are coming together to address food insecurity by participating in a friendly fundraising competition.
About the Mayors’ Food Bank Challenge
From May 1st to 31st, the Mayors of Burnaby, Chilliwack, City of North Vancouver, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Vancouver and White Rock are challenging their communities to help local food banks feed people in need. The Mayors’ Food Bank Challenge is a friendly competition between cities to raise the most money per capita, with an overall campaign goal of $500,000. Donations can be made online to the respective cities’ fundraising pages. The 2021 Mayors’ Food Bank Challenge winner was the City of North Vancouver, led by Mayor Linda Buchanan, with $68,905 total money and food raised, equating to $1.20 raised per capita.
https://mayorschallenge.foodbank.bc.ca/
Participating cities:
Burnaby – Mayor Mike Hurley
Chilliwack – Mayor Ken Popove
City of North Vancouver – Mayor Linda Buchanan
Coquitlam – Mayor Richard Stewart
New Westminster – Mayor Jonathan Coté
Port Coquitlam – Mayor Brad West
Port Moody – Mayor Rob Vagramov
Vancouver – Mayor Kennedy Stewart
White Rock – Mayor Darryl Walker
Mayor quotes:
Burnaby – Mayor Mike Hurley
“As the cost of living continues to rise in Metro Vancouver, it puts pressure on families who are trying their hardest to put food on the table,” said Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley. “By supporting your local food bank and the Mayors’ Food Bank Challenge, you can help ensure that families in our community continue to have access to nutritious and healthy meals.”
Chilliwack – Mayor Ken Popove
“In every community, food insecurity can be an ongoing and often difficult problem to see. In Chilliwack, the Salvation Army Food Bank supports food-insecure seniors, adults, and children, and we have a generous community that has long supported our local food bank. I know that Chilliwack’s generosity will have a big impact on the Salvation Army’s ability to continue providing nutritious food long after this Challenge has ended.” – Mayor Ken Popove, City of Chilliwack
City of North Vancouver – Mayor Linda Buchanan
“The past 2 years have been difficult for everyone, but for some it has been harder than we can even imagine. Many challenges have been exacerbated as a result of the pandemic, including food insecurity. That’s why I’m excited to again partner with the Greater Vancouver Food Bank on this important campaign. Last year the City of North Vancouver raised the most money per capita and proved we are a caring community. This year I hope we come together again to support our neighbours in need and bring greater awareness to food insecurity.” – Mayor Linda Buchanan
About the Greater Vancouver Food Bank (GVFB)
The GVFB is a non-profit organization with a mission to provide healthy food to those in need. The GVFB provides assistance to over 10,000 people each month through direct distribution in Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster and the North Shore. 25% of their clients are children, and 17% are seniors. The GVFB also provides food support to 119 community agencies throughout these communities, such as housing agencies, women and children’s shelters, transition houses and after-school programs, which in turn provide meals and snacks to thousands of people each week.
About SHARE Family and Community Services
SHARE Family & Community Services Society started as a children’s clothing exchange in 1972 in the basement of founder Gertie Grosser’s home and quickly became a focal point for community members who wanted to help themselves and their neighbours with life’s challenges. Today SHARE is a non-profit, independent, community based organization providing leadership and programs in response to the social needs of the residents of the Tri-Cities (Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra), New Westminster and adjacent communities.
https://sharesociety.ca/share-food-bank
About Salvation Army Chilliwack Food Bank
The Salvation Army Community Food Bank has been an active participant in Chilliwack for over 25 years. The Food Bank use continues to be a vital need in our community for individuals who are unemployed or underemployed. Over 3,800 people are being assisted through our Food Bank, Soup Kitchen and Shelter every month, 30% of those we assist are children under the age of 18 years. Each of these needy families would have gone hungry without the generous support and kindness of our community.
https://chilliwacksa.ca/community-and-family-services/
About Sources White Rock/South Surrey Food Bank
Sources White Rock/South Surrey Food Bank provides community members in need a minimum of two days’ worth of food per person per week. Extra healthy food items are also provided for each school-age child as well as formula and diapers for babies. The Food Bank provides a mobile service for those who qualify as well as a variety of services throughout the year such as cooking classes, workshops and other information sessions on relevant topics. The Food Bank provides weekly support services to more than 600 people living in the White Rock and South Surrey area (from 0 Ave to 40 Ave; from 120 St. to 196 St.).
https://www.sourcesbc.ca/our-services/sources-white-rock-south-surrey-food-bank/
Media Contact:
Jodie Ou, Communications Manager
Greater Vancouver Food Bank
778-387-2666
