food banks: where you can go for extra help in metro vancouver
for those who need a helping hand or those interested in making a donation, here's a list of food banks in metro vancouver.
5 minute read
scenes from the greater vancouver food bank in burnaby, bc., on october 27, 2022.
(nick procaylo/png)
nick procaylo
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the number of british columbians going to a food bank in order to feed their families has hit a record high this year, according to the latest report from food banks b.c.
more than 113,600 people used a b.c. food bank in march, a 44 per cent jump since the pandemic and a nine per cent increase compared to last year.
that unsustainable growth means some food banks have reported turning people away.
“we are experiencing a relentless rise in demand at food banks across bc,” said dan huang-taylor, executive director of food banks b.c.
“for an increasing number of people, the food bank is no longer a temporary supplement during a difficult period, but a necessary, entrenched support lifeline.”
b.c. food banks recorded about 223,340 monthly visits this year, an 80 per cent jump from 2019, fuelled by post-pandemic inflation that dramatically increased the price of groceries and day-to-day living.
the demographics of those who rely on food banks are also changing, said the report, which used data from a march census survey of 130 hunger relief agencies.
in b.c., the number of people who have jobs yet still need support has more than doubled since 2019.
while renter households remain most common among food bank clients, there’s been a slow but steady rise in the number of homeowners seeking support, climbing to 8.7 per cent in 2025.
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the number of minorities and immigrants or refugees needing help rose by nine per cent and four per cent respectively.
the surge in demand along with a decline in donations and funding has left some food banks unable to cope. about 11 per cent of food banks had to turn people away because they ran out of food.
huang-taylor said charity alone cannot solve systemic issues posed by poverty and a fraying social safety net.
“this crisis is indicative of deep, systemic issues and highlights the absence of focused government policies that directly address hunger, food access, and the root causes of food insecurity,” he said.
here is a list of organizations in metro vancouver you can go to for help or support through your donations and time. to view the food bank closest to you, visit food banks b.c.
address: 8345 winston st., burnaby
serves: vancouver, burnaby, new westminster, north shore
serves: vancouver, burnaby, new westminster, north shore
the region’s largest food bank helps 16,000 people weekly across vancouver, burnaby, new westminster and the north shore, providing them with healthy food, including fresh produce each week.
it also distributes food to over 160 agencies across the province, including shelters, school programs and other food banks.
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the distribution schedule varies, depending on the pickup location. it is closed on sundays and mondays and the last full week of the month. check here for the most updated schedule.
generally, its main location in burnaby is open friday and saturday, its north vancouver location (225 east 2nd street) is open on wednesdays and its vancouver location (3454 lougheed highway) is open tuesday to saturday.
address: 100-5800 cedarbridge way, richmond
serves: richmond
serves: richmond
since 2019, visits to the richmond food bank, which serves more than 2,000 households, has more than doubled, reflecting the challenges many people and families face in making ends meet.
the food bank distributes food at four locations over five days, with clients able to pick up food once a week per household:
- 100-5800 cedarbridge way: monday, wednesday, thursday (seniors only 55+), saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- west richmond depot (corner of no. 1 and francis): monday from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
- daniels road depot (11571 daniels rd): tuesday from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
- five road depot (10200 no. 5 rd): wednesday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
the food bank will distribute only from the cedarbridge location between dec. 21 and jan. 3 for the holidays.
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address: 1-13478 78th ave., surrey
serves: surrey, north delta and cloverdale, north of 40th ave.
founded in 1981 as a food cupboard run by churches, the surrey food bank has grown into a 23,000-square foot facility in newton with a staff of 15 and more than 200 volunteers.
clients can pick up food at the main depot on monday, tuesday, thursday and friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
the food bank, which distributes food biweekly, also has three community depots, including at hillside church in cloverdale (5950 179 street), cedar grove baptist church in guildford (10330 144 street) and northside community church in north delta (11300 84 ave., delta). check here for their distribution schedule.
address: 2343 156 st., surrey
serves: white rock and south surrey area, from 0 to 40 avenues and from 120 to 196 streets
serves: white rock and south surrey area, from 0 to 40 avenues and from 120 to 196 streets
new clients can register in person during distribution hours on tuesday, wednesday, thursday and saturday.
the food bank also offers specialized packages for school-age kids, diapers and formula to infants, and home delivery to people who have mobility issues.
address: 2615 clarke st., port moody
serves: port moody, coquitlam and port coquitlam
serves: port moody, coquitlam and port coquitlam
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this port moody food bank serves the tri-cities and distributes food on wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at three locations.
- port moody: share family and community services, 2615 clarke street (rear of building)
- coquitlam: hillside church, 1393 austin ave.
- port coquitlam: trinity united church, 2211 prairie ave.
share also provides specialized programs for pregnant women and babies under one.
address: 22726 dewdney trunk rd., maple ridge
serves: maple ridge and pitt meadows
serves: maple ridge and pitt meadows
the friends in need food bank, founded in the early 1980s, now serves more than 900 households in maple ridge and pitt meadows. it has distribution centres in each of the municipality:
- maple ridge: 8-22726 dewdney trunk road: tuesday to friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- pitt meadows: 12240 harris road (grace community church): tuesday and wednesday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
the food bank also offers programs like a seniors food bank, evening pickups for people who work or attend school during the day, and home deliveries for eligible clients.
address: 32600 7th ave., mission
serves: mission
serves: mission
this mission food bank lends a helping hand to more than 1,400 people.
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clients can come once or twice a month, depending on the size of their household, to pick up hampers every second wednesday and thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
address: 45746 yale rd., chilliwack
serves: chilliwack
serves: chilliwack
the chilliwack branch of the salvation army helps more than 3,800 people through its food bank and other services, such as the soup kitchen and shelter.
the food bank operates a program in partnership with local grocery stores that makes fresh food, produce and other perishables available five days a week.
address: 33914 essendene ave., abbotsford
serves: abbotsford
serves: abbotsford
this abbotsford food bank offers a variety of services, including a christmas bureau, dental care, and home delivery for people with mobility issues.
distribution days are generally monday to thursday, but date and time varies depending on the makeup of the household (visit hours of distribution here). for clients who live farther, the food bank has four other satellite sites. by appointment only.
- abbotsford pentecostal assembly: 3145 gladwin rd.
- ross road community church: 3160 ross rd.
- sevenoaks alliance church: 2575 gladwin rd.
- central heights: 1661 mccallum rd.
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