For our first newsletter of 2025, we're digging into the numbers from 2024 and reflecting on the meaningful impact your support has had in our community. We'll also share some important updates for January. Read on to learn more.

In 2024, overall visits to our food bank increased by 31% from 2023. Throughout the year, we heard from a number of families that they were at a breaking point, no longer able to keep up with the rapidly rising cost of housing, groceries, and other essentials. Out of the 17,191 visits to our food bank in 2024, 3.5% of households were accessing a food bank for the very first time.

 

The largest demographic increase we saw in 2024 was among children (0-18 years). Children made up 5643 visits to our food bank last year, up from 3450 in 2023. This marks a 63.5% increase. Given this increase, and thanks to the outstanding support of our donors in recent years, we were able to double the number of K-12 students we supported with our Bag to School program in 2024. This meant 725 local students went back to class with all the tools they needed to focus on learning, having fun, and being kids.

 

Nothing we do would be possible without the steadfast support of our community, who we have seen rally together again and again to ensure no one goes hungry. As we head into 2025, we must once again thank each and every one of our donors for their continued support of our mission. Our work is powered by your generosity; thank you for continuously answering the call.

 

Increased need for our services also reminds us that as we provide this critical and immediate food support, we must continue to advocate for policy solutions that address the root causes of food insecurity across our city, province, and country. This includes affordable housing, a stronger social safety net, and income measures that allow all members of our community to meet their needs, in turn reducing the need for food banks.

 

In 2025, we must continue to advocate for the most vulnerable in our community as we work toward a future where all of our neighbours have access to abundant, nutritious, and culturally-appropriate food.

In 2024, Bridges to Hope officially signed the Ethical Food Banking Code, affirming our commitment to non-biased community support that recognizes dignity and diversity. We signed this Code because we believe everyone in Canada has the right to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs and preferences.

 

As an affiliate member of Food Banks Canada, Bridges to Hope commits to:

 

1. Provide food and other assistance to those needing help regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, income source, age or mental or physical ability.

 

2. Treat all those who access services with the utmost dignity and respect.

 

3. Implement best practices in the proper and safe storage and handling of food.

 

4. Respect the privacy of those served, and maintain the confidentiality of personal information.

 

5. Not sell donated food.

 

6. Acquire and share food in a spirit of cooperation with other food banks and food programs.

 

7. Strive to make the public aware of the existence of hunger, and of the factors that contribute to it.

 

8. Recognize that food banks are not a viable long-term response to hunger, and devote part of our activities to reducing the need for food assistance.

 

9. Represent accurately, honestly and completely our respective mission and activities to the larger community.

 

As the tree comes down and we settle back into our routine, our team is feeling recharged and inspired by the outstanding community support we saw throughout the 2024 holiday season. Whether you dropped by with food items, made a monetary contribution, or simply spread the word among family and friends, your kindness has had a meaningful impact on relieving hunger in the St. John's-Metro region, and we are deeply grateful for your support.

 

Please join us in thanking the following businesses, organizations, and other groups for their support: