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What's in Our November Newsletter?
1. Your Impact in October
2. HungerCount Report 2024
3. Holiday Hamper Registration
4.Community Kitchen Updates
5.Community Highlights & Thanks
6. Updates & Events
Dear Valued Donors and Community Members,
Inspired by the values of dignity, respect, and hospitality, Bridges to Hope supports the community through direct food assistance, special programming that helps empower our clients, and food security advocacy in the St. John's-Metro region.

In this newsletter issue, we take a look back at October in our food pantry. We also offer some heartfelt thanks and highlight ongoing and upcoming events. Read on to learn more.
Food Hampers
Last month, we distributed 731 food hampers.
 
This effort reached 1,539 total individuals, including 231 seniors and 510 children in our community.
Emergency Hampers
Our emergency food hamper program offers additional assistance to those who have already accessed their monthly food hamper.
 
In October, we distributed 193 emergency food hampers.
First Time Visits
In October, we assisted 58 individuals who had turned to a food bank for the first time.
 
We are incredibly grateful for our community’s ongoing support as we tackle this growing need together.
Heartbreaking Numbers of Children Fed
Last month, we served 510 children, representing 33% of total visits to our food bank. 

The increase in children accessing our services is staggering, and highlights the unique challenges faced by families in our community.
A Stark Increase in Total Individuals Served
In October, we provided food assistance to 1,539 total individuals. 
 
As we head into the colder months, we expect demand in our food pantry to remain high. If you would like to help, please visit bridgestohope.ca.
 
HungerCount 2024: Buckling Under the Strain
On Monday October 28, Food Banks Canada released its annual HungerCount report for 2024. It found that in March 2024, food banks processed over 2 million visits nationwide.

Food bank demand in Canada has risen 90% since 2019, and food banks across the country are starting to feel the strain. As our communities struggle with the skyrocketing cost of food, housing, and other necessities, we must advocate for long-term government action to address affordability issues and fix Canada’s broken social safety net.

To learn more and read the full report, please visit Food Banks Canada’s website.
 
In partnership with the Rotary Club of St. John’s, Bridges to Hope is offering holiday grocery assistance in the form of Coleman’s gift cards. Registration opens on Monday, November 25 at 9:00 AM and will continue until spaces fill.
 
If you or someone you know would like to register, please visit our website for more information.
 
Community Kitchen Updates
Homemade Meals
In October, we prepared 320 servings of beef goulash and 280 bowls of chicken soup in our community kitchen, continuing our commitment to providing wholesome meals for those we serve.
 
If your business, office, or group would like to sponsor a bulk meal, please contact us to learn more!
A Special Treat
Thanks to the Rotary Club of St. John’s East, we were able to offer local game meat to families in need in October. We distributed some of the meat directly to folks in our pantry, and our volunteer chef also prepared 150 bowls of hearty moose soup for a delicious, pre-made option.
Bringing Local Flavours into Our Pantry
Sharing the Harvest NL coordinated a donation of 25 pounds of local apples in October. 
 
Our dedicated volunteers quickly transformed the apples into delicious applesauce for more to enjoy!
Vegetarian Chili for Everyone
While volunteers gather in our pantry to sort, pack, and distribute essential food items, something wonderful is cooking in the kitchen too!
 
A hearty vegetarian chili is whipped up every Wednesday, ensuring hundreds of individuals can enjoy a wholesome, homemade meal. Last month we distributed more than 300 bowls!
 
 
Group Volunteering at Bridges to Hope
IG Wealth Management Team Volunteering in Our Pantry 
 
Did you know that you can volunteer with us as a group? These kind folks from IG Wealth Management joined us over the span of two days, sorting donations, stocking shelves, portioning bulk food items, and making sure our pantry was fully prepared for the following day. We can’t thank them enough for their support.
 
If your company, team, or group would like to spend a shift volunteering with us, we’d love to welcome you! Visit bridgestohope.ca/volunteer to book a time.
 
Community Highlights
 
Thanks to our Corporate and Community Partners
Rotary Club of St. John's East
The Rotary Club of St. John’s East recently harvested a moose under their charity license, and generously decided to share it with local organizations like us.

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to offer country food in our pantry. Thank you, Rotary Club of St. John’s East, for sharing your harvest!
IG Wealth Management
Our heartfelt gratitude to IG Wealth Management who joined us for some busy volunteer shifts.
 
They also donated $1,000 toward our essential programming.
 
Thank you to the entire team at IG Wealth Management for your support.
Capital Mitsubishi
A big thank you to Capital Mitsubishi, their staff, and everyone who participated in 'Drive to End Hunger' throughout  the month of September.
 
They collected essential food items and generously donated $4,000 in support of our food pantry.
 
Your timely support is greatly appreciated and will help us continue to serve those in need.
OZFM
A huge thank you to the teams at OZFM and Dominion Blackmarsh Road for hosting their “Cram the Cruiser” donation drive in support of our food pantry last month!
 
They collected an incredible 370 pounds of food and $2,550 in monetary contributions to keep our shelves stocked through the Thanksgiving season. Thanks to everyone who participated!
Holy Heart - Interact
In October, the Interact Club at Holy Heart High School held their door-to-door ‘We Scare Hunger’ food drive across St. John’s. Thanks to their dedication, they collected over $3,000 worth of food for our pantry!
 
A special shoutout to our friends at the Rotary Club of St. John’s (pictured here) for lending a hand. Well done to everyone involved!
PetValu Churchill Sq
Our heartfelt thanks to Pet Valu - Churchill Square for their continued support through the ‘Companions for Change’ program.
 
They collect carts full of pet food and donate to local organizations like ours to ensure our furry friends stay nourished too.
 
Paw-some job, folks!
Sharing The Harvest NL
Thank you to Sharing The Harvest NL and their anonymous donor for providing 25 pounds of local apples last month!
 
It’s heartwarming that whenever nature blesses them, they remember to share with our neighbours in need.
m5 The Agency
A big thanks to the team at m5 The Agency for organizing a food drive in support of our pantry!
 
They dropped by with nearly 300 pounds of essential food items, helping us replenish some much-needed supplies.
Haunting on Winnipeg 
Throughout the month of October, "A Haunting on Winnipeg St" collected food donations for our pantry.
 
Thank you to Roger & Denise Nicholl as well as all the volunteers and community members who donated!
Beltone Hearing Centre
Our gratitude to Beltone Hearing Aid Centre for hosting a food drive in support of our food pantry.

They also donated $5 from every hearing test performed, for a total of $1700 raised! Thanks very much to all who participated.
Gower Street Church
We are deeply thankful to Gower Street United Church for hosting a food drive in support of Bridges to Hope.

Your continuous support means so much to us.
 
Thank you!
We are grateful!
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our donors, community partners, staff, volunteers, and everyone committed to realizing our mission of reducing hunger.

Thank you for your unwavering dedication and support.
 
Updates & Events
Update
Group Volunteer Opportunities
With the giving season fast approaching, group volunteer slots are filling up fast!

If your team would like to give the gift of time this holiday season, please visit bridgestohope.ca/volunteer to fill out our group volunteer application.
Upcoming
Miracle on Cookstown Road
Our food bank served over 13,000 total individuals last year, and we are projected to reach 17,000 served in 2024.

Our 'Miracle on Cookstown Road' campaign aims to ensure that everyone in need has a warm meal this holiday season and beyond. Stay tuned to our social media for more updates on the campaign, beginning on November 12th.
Upcoming
Merry & Bright
Local musician Alex Taylor is hosting his annual Merry & Bright concert on Saturday, November 23--this time with special guest Fergus O'Byrne! We are thrilled that Alex has chosen to donate the proceeds to Bridges to Hope again this year.
 
The concert is scheduled for 7:00 PM at St. Mary's Anglican Church, 121 Craigmillar Avenue. Tickets are $10. To purchase, please call Zita at (709) 691-4020. Hope to see you at the show!
Join us in making a greater impact! Share our mission on social media and help us reach even more people in need.
37 Cookstown Rd, St. John's NL A1C 4G7
info@bridgestohope.ca
(709) 722-9225