August 22, 2016

Back to School

back2school-in-backapckHeading back to school can be a total mix of emotions.

Do you remember heading back to school as a kid?  Do you remember the total mix of emotions that came with it? I certainly do. I remember the anticipation of attending a new class, the excitement of seeing school friends again, and the pride in showing off my first day of school outfit. I even remember the forgotten smell of the early morning air during the crisp walk to school. And while my family didn’t necessarily have the best of everything, I always knew that I was taken care of and that my lunch box was full.

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June 30, 2016

How Sports Changed My Life

We couldn’t do what we do without passion and you!

We like to brag about the staff at the Abbotsford Food Bank .Yes, we are working on our humility, but it’s true—we have some pretty amazing people working here. Not only are they skilled, but they have a huge heart for what we do.

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May 30, 2016

Everest – A Journey in Relationship

Community begins with relationships.

everst-circle2Sadly, many people that pass through our doors find themselves unable to rise above their circumstances largely due to the fact that they don’t have the relationships and connections to help bring them there.

Recently we started a pilot project called ‘Everest’ which aim’s at this exact disparity.

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December 4, 2015

Christmas Bureau – A story of Hope

Each year the Abbotsford Food Bank and Christmas Bureau lets you, our valuable supporters, know what our needs are financially. This year we need to raise $850,000 by year’s end to keep helping people in need in Abbotsford. A very helpful envelope should be arriving to your door this week.  We want everyone to know about the good work that is happening in our community through the Abbotsford Food Bank & Christmas Bureau.

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Let us introduce you to Laurel

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December 1, 2015

Ramada’s Toys for Tots 2015 – Best Yet!

Best-one-yetThe 3rd Annual Ramada’s Toys for Tots Christmas Breakfast is receiving rave reviews and we couldn’t be more thankful!

A record 1,300 people attended, more than $26,000 raised and receiving over 1,300 toys. 

The morning included spirited Christmas Music, a visit from Santa, a top notch breakfast buffet, story time with Clifford the Elf, a festive craft corner and a photo booth to capture the magic of celebrating together.  One mother said – “This year’s Toys for tots was the best one yet! Staff were so helpful in getting us a table and the kids loved the story time and crafts.” – Heidi

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November 4, 2015

Ramada’s 3rd Annual Toys for Tots Christmas Breakfast

The Abbotsford Food Bank is excited to announce the return of a new-found Christmas tradition, the 3rd Annual Toys for Tots Christmas Breakfast presented by the Ramada Plaza & Conference Centre and Envision Financial, on November 27th from 6am – 9:30 am.

blog-post-infoThe public is once again invited to drop by with a new toy or monetary donation and stay for the free buffet breakfast, kids’ activities, and fantastic live local entertainment.  Once again the event falls on an Abbotsford School District Pro D day, parents love bringing their children.  The event is a great opportunity to talk about the true spirit of Christmas with our children.  It’s better to give than receive!
For those who don’t have time to come in, there will be a drive-thru in the parking lot to drop off donations and enjoy a free coffee and pastry.

All proceeds will benefit the Abbotsford Christmas Bureau and the more than 1,200 children they expect to help this winter. “With the community’s support,” said the Food Bank’s Director, Dave Murray, “we are able to do some pretty amazing things. But this—giving families a Christmas to remember—has got to be my favourite. There’s nothing else like it.”

On November 27th, come be a part of something special. For more information, visit:

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June 10, 2015

UBC Dental Student Blitz!

We are so delighted when we see students give with their time and their heart. Have you heard about our Free Dental clinic?  Our on-site dental facility works with generous volunteer dentists, hygienists and dental assistants that share their needed services with low income households through the Abbotsford Food Bank. To help meet the growing need 12 UBC Dental students and 2 instructors came for a 1 day dental blitz. We always have fun when the UBC students arrive!

Helped 9 patients in 8 hours and

completed $2780 worth of dental work

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May 6, 2015

Starfish Packs Earn 2nd International Recognition

Photo credit: Bob Knight
Rotary District 5050 Governor Lyle Ryan presents the Outstanding Community Service Award to Abbotsford Rotary Club President Hugh Ellis and club members

The Starfish Pack Program, a joint project between the Abbotsford Food Bank and the Abbotsford Rotary Club, received its second international recognition over the past weekend.

During the annual Rotary 5050 District Conference, held in Tulalip, WA, the Starfish Pack program was presented with McLean Community Service Award, recognizing it as the most outstanding community service project in the Rotary 5050 District.  Rotary District 5050 covers 58 Rotary clubs located in both British Columbia and Washington State, in communities from Hope BC to Everett, WA.

Starfish Packs provides weekly backpacks containing six meals each weekend to over 260 elementary school students in 22 Abbotsford schools during the school year.  The Program also recently launched its first “Starfish Depot” which will provide food and other resources to school children and their families year round.  In its first two years of operation, the program has brought together over 40 local businesses, service clubs, faith groups and hundreds of individuals to fund and deliver the program.

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December 1, 2014

Toys for tots Raises More!

Our hearts are full of gratitude for everyone that came out to the 2nd Annual, Ramada’s Toys for Tots Christmas Breakfast!  The event was a great success!  An estimated 800 people attended, raising  $14,000 in financial donations and over 1,100 toys were collected at the event..  The success of this event would not have been possible without the investment from our community.  We would like to thank first and foremost, Ramada Plaza and Conference Centre for their desire to create a wonderful event.  The conference centre was beautifully decorated, the food was amazing, and your volunteer staff was so friendly and helpful.

Thank you to Envision Financial for your investment in our community through the Full Cupboard program.  Your enthusiastic support and promotion of the event was invaluable. Your volunteers were so willing to lend a hand, they even stood in the pouring rain without complaint!

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November 19, 2014

Ramada’s 2nd Annual Toys for Tots Christmas Breakfast

Ramada’s Toys for Tots Christmas Breakfast

We are one week away! Ramada’s 2nd Annual Toys for Tots Christmas Breakfast is fast approaching.  November 28 from 6AM to 9:30AM is when the magic happens. Every item you donate shares the joy of Christmas and gives a child hope this holiday. This is the one Christmas event you do not want to miss! Bring a toy or $ donation and enjoy a free Buffet Breakfast. Don’t have time to stay? We thought of you! Drive by with your donation and receive a Tim Horton’s coffee & treat.

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October 24, 2014

New Way to Give

Heroes of Hope is a new initiative at the Food Bank that allows you to partner with us on an ongoing basis through giving financially on a monthly basis.

Why give a financial donation?

By leveraging your support to garner additional resources and funding, we make every dollar go further.

Why give monthly?

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September 18, 2014

BC Thanksgiving Food Drive 2014

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Remember to fill your grocerey bag that you received in the mail with with much needed food for the FoodBank. Have the bag out by 9:30 am and an amazing team of volunteers will be picking it up. Thank you for sharing your food with those in need!

Collection day…

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June 9, 2014

Give it Up team Challenge Winners: Remax Little Oak Realty

Last month we held the ‘Give it Up Team Challenge’ as a component of our ‘Give it Up for Hunger Event’. We challenged local businesses to compete to see who could raise the most money for us here at the Food Bank. Yet again we were so impressed with our incredible supporters! This year we had 10 teams participating with a huge variety of efforts to raise money – including silent auctions, luncheons, BBQs, potlucks and % of sales promotions!

The totals are in, and our winning team – for the 2nd year in a row – is Remax Little Oak Realty! Their awesome group rallied together with multiple different fundraising efforts to raise $3000!! As the winning team, they won the coveted Team Challenge Trophy, and amazing gift baskets donated by our friends at the Bay, and Winks.

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The runner-up was the ServiceMaster Clean team. Their first year participating, we were blown away by their efforts – raising over $600 for the Team Challenge and donating a service package for our online auction.

Thank you again to all who participated – together you raised over $5200 to help us continue to serve those less fortunate in Abbotsford!

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