Stella is staying resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic
An independent and resilient woman in her 60βs, Stella is thriving against all odds.Β Β
Before the pandemic, Stellaβs friends asked her if she wanted to become a GreaterΒ VancouverΒ FoodΒ BankΒ client, but Stella said: βNo, Iβm working, Iβm earning, Iβm not going to avail that benefit and blessing.βΒ
Little did Stella know, she would lose her job a few months after, and she asked her friends to take her to the GVFB.Β
βI donβt go to the GVFB every week, but when I need it, I really appreciate knowing I donβt have to go to bed hungry,β Stella said. βOne of myΒ neighboursΒ has cancer,Β andΒ she isnβt able to leave her apartment, so when I receive extra food from the GVFB, I always share with her.βΒ
Your donations are supporting active seniors like Stella every single day. ClickΒ hereΒ to read Stellaβs full story.Β
Children’s Program: Baby Steps update
AfterΒ redesigningΒ our Preschooler Packs and launchingΒ our brand new Grade Schooler Packs, we explored waysΒ toΒ improve our Baby Steps program as well. In March 2021,Β we launchedΒ a more nutritionally rich and appropriate menu for babies from 13 to 24-months-old.Β Β
Previously, babies from birth to 12-months-old and babies from 13 to 24-months-old were receiving the same items.Β Β
Using client feedback andΒ developmentalΒ guidelines,Β we have reduced theΒ amountΒ of baby cereal and addedΒ someΒ baby-friendly biscuitsΒ likeΒ Arrowroots for babies from birth to 12-months-old.Β AndΒ for babies from 13 to 24-months-old, weΒ replacedΒ the formulaΒ with more age-appropriateΒ homogenizedΒ milk,Β and added some nutritious first foods such as cheese,Β yogurt, oatmeal and fruit.Β The babies love it!Β
Your donation provides all the tools Daniel and his team needs
Motivated, fun, and diverse!Β These are just some of the adjectives to describe the people onΒ our Food Distribution Team.Β Β
Daniel joined the GVFB as a Distribution Coordinator about two months ago.Β DanielβsΒ hard work and determinationΒ haveΒ earned him a promotionΒ toΒ Distribution Team Lead. WithΒ Danielβs 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 β an experience that has often beenΒ βstigmatized.βΒ Β
Daniel thanks our donors for their donationsΒ that go towards purchasing all the things we need in addition to food, to support our clients each day.Β βI carry thisΒ Exacto knife around my neck because I need to unpack hundreds of boxes of food each day. We canβt be as efficient as we are now without tools and equipment like our pallet jacks, shrink wrap machines and more.βΒ All of these things play an important role in creating a positive, efficient experience for our clients every day.Β Β Β
Thank you, Daniel and the whole Food Distribution Team, for your dedication and hard work!Β
NEW Awards!
We are honoured to announce that we are one of Canadaβs Top 100 Employers and one of BCβs Top 100 Employers!
Now celebrating its 20th year, the Canadaβs Top 100 Employers project is a Canada-wide competition to determine which employers lead their industries in offering exceptional workplaces for their employees.Β
Itβs a very proud momentΒ for usΒ to receive this award because our organization has transformed dramatically over the last few years,Β whichΒ speaks to how we value our employees. Looking into the future we will continue toΒ seek feedback fromΒ our employeesΒ on ways to make our workplace better, andΒ remain anΒ employer of choice.Β
GVFB’s 1st Annual Fore For Food Golf Tournament
Come join us in our first annualΒ Fore for FoodΒ β A Day of GolfΒ withΒ 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, allowingΒ you and your guests a more flexible experience. We may be limited in some of the βnormalβ Golf Tournament fun, but weβre going to make sure you have a great day on the links, no matter what!Β
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, LangleyΒ
If you would like to purchase a foursome or become a sponsor, pleaseΒ 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. ClickΒ hereΒ to read Karinaβs story.Β
Recently, we discovered thatΒ sheΒ foundΒ a new job inΒ Purchasing andΒ that she no longer requires food support!Β Β
Itβs been a roller coaster ride for Karina and her family: needing food,Β findingΒ a job, losingΒ the job due to the pandemic,Β and findingΒ a jobΒ onceΒ again. Like many other families, Karina has been working very hard towards not having to depend on the GVFB.Β WeΒ areΒ hereΒ to provide support whenever our clients need it. THANK YOU to all of our donors for making this possible!Β