You're giving students - and single parents - a helping hand.
An international student and single dad, Ravi is doing his best to balance full-time studies, a part-time job and spending as much time as he can with his 2-year-old daughter.
Ravi moved to Vancouver to attend a Master’s program and give his daughter a chance at a better life. However, he’s really been struggling with the high cost of living. And, he’s finding it almost impossible to afford the nutritious food his daughter needs to grow up healthy and strong.
Ravi is not alone. You’ve undoubtedly noticed the sharp increase in your own grocery bills. Costs have been rising steadily here at the Food Bank, as have the number of people coming in for help.
We’re so very grateful to have you with us, helping to meet the increasing need.
With the support of a family friend who is looking after his daughter, Ravi aims to finish his schooling as fast as possible. Then, he hopes to bring in a more consistent income to support himself and his daughter.
He goes on to say, “I was thrilled to learn about the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. And, when I discovered they had a Preschooler Pack program designed for kids ages 2–5, I felt the stress lift from my shoulders!”
Ravi’s daughter loves the food pack and particularly enjoys the milk and eggs.
“The Greater Vancouver Food Bank is offering its services relentlessly and they are making a huge difference in the lives of people in need, especially single parents like myself. I am so grateful to the GVFB for helping me look after my daughter,” shares Ravi.
THANK YOU for giving so generously to help families, students, seniors and many others who are struggling with the significantly increased costs of living and food. You’re providing critical support to people in desperate need.
The need for food assistance has increased significantly.
It’s been all over the news. Inflation. Rising prices for food, gas and housing. The skyrocketing costs affect all of us, but it really impacts the most vulnerable, including the seniors and children in our community.
You may not realize just how much rising costs have impacted the Greater Vancouver Food
Bank as well.
We take a ‘menu planning’ approach to food distribution. This ensures we can provide individuals and families with a well-rounded and healthy diet. It also means we have to plan weeks ahead to purchase food in bulk directly from local farmers and wholesalers. As a result of this pre-planning, we’re typically able to maximize our purchasing power and double the value of your incredible donations!
However, the hike in food costs has affected the Food Bank’s purchasing power, especially for the more expensive, high-protein foods that food-insecure families struggle to afford. Eggs and milk, for instance — our top two most purchased food items in 2022 — have both significantly increased in price. Milk has gone up over 10%, while the cost of eggs has increased by a startling 12% since 2021.
Over the past year, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in the number of new clients seeking food assistance. Thankfully, you’ve been there to help meet the need.
We know it takes more than healthy food to maintain a person’s overall well-being. However, your kindness and generosity are a meaningful part of the solution for families in need of extra support.
Thank you to all of our amazing donors and dedicated volunteers and staff! With your support, we’ve consistently been able to purchase fresh, healthy food options and provide a balanced menu for clients of different ages. We will continue to support the community and rise to meet the increasing demand.
The Vivian - healthy food and vital community support for women.
Your compassionate generosity also helps us provide food to more than 120 community agency partners across Greater Vancouver, including organizations like The Vivian.
The Vivian, affectionately known as “The Viv”, was the first fully accessible housing program in Vancouver specifically designed for women who face barriers to adequate housing, good health, and personal and financial security.
The Viv is a three-story building that provides housing to 24 women. It came to life to address the unique safety and support needs of women in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
Chenoah, a staff member, says this when asked how receiving healthy and nutritious food has benefited the Vivian:
“So often the food available to those on the streets or living in supportive housing consists mainly of carbs because of the gap between budgets and mouths to feed, and the gap is constantly getting bigger with inflation. Many individuals living in these circumstances have health problems which are compounded by the lack of nutrition found in their diets.
We are so happy to be able to offer meals rich in vegetables and have fruits and yogurt on hand to offer the women of the Vivian, and it adds greatly to their quality of life.
Another thing we are happy to be able to offer is gatherings and holidays, which we all know centre around food. Getting to enjoy summer BBQ’s, birthday cakes, holiday dinners, and indigenous meals help to include people who are often left out from the celebrations of life in which the greater society is able to indulge.”
Thank you for providing at-risk women with a safe space where they can access fresh, nutritious food and connect with an understanding and supportive community.
You give comfort with your kind support. Here's a comforting soup recipe for you!
The Greater Vancouver Food Bank has been distributing a bounty of hearty staples and proteins for clients to make warm and nourishing meals, such as stews! Using GVFB staples of potatoes, onions, tomatoes, milk and a vegetable medley, we present an easy and client-friendly Hamburger Soup.
Hamburger Soup
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 medium potatoes peeled and diced
- 3 ½ cups beef broth (or broth of choice)
- 1 can (28 ounces) of diced tomatoes (or fresh tomatoes)
- 1 can (284 mL) of tomato soup
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 3 cups of mixed frozen vegetables of choice
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp of Italian seasoning
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare vegetables by dicing the onions, mincing the garlic, and chopping the potatoes.
- Add neutral oil to a deep pot and brown onions and garlic. Once caramelized, add your ground beef and cook until no pink remains. Drain any fat.
- Add potatoes, broth, tomatoes, tomato soup, Worcestershire sauce, seasoning and bay leaf. Simmer covered for 10 minutes.
- Stor in the frozen vegetables and let it simmer for another 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
- Mix in your cup of milk.
- Adjust seasonings to taste and add salt and pepper.
Giving monthly to help people "on the line".
Leah Christensen is one of our very loyal and valued monthly donors. When asked why she
gives to the GVFB, she says,
“The line between managing and not-managing in life is thin, and for various circumstances, people find themselves in situational and chronic poverty. I wish food banks weren’t needed, but now more than ever, as we work together to manage
the social and economic impacts of the pandemic, it is a time to give.”
Leah trusts the Greater Vancouver Food Bank to manage her gifts in a way that will provide
the greatest good for those people in most need of support. And we can assure you: we take that trust very seriously!
But why monthly giving? Leah explains, “The stability of monthly donations allows the Greater Vancouver Food Bank to plan ahead and provide stability for clients…Plus, monthly giving is easy, and it makes a world of difference for everyone!”
Thank you, Leah. We value and appreciate every gift we receive from loyal and loving supporters like you.
