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What's in our February newsletter?
1. Your Impact in January
2. January Highlights
3. Volunteer Spotlight
4. Most-needed Food Pantry Items
5. 2024 Charitable Donation Extension
6. Other 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 our February newsletter, we take a look back at the last month in our food pantry. We also highlight an exceptional volunteer, introduce you to our newest staff member, and announce an exciting fundraiser happening throughout February! Read on to learn more.
Food Hampers
In January 2025, our pantry distributed 667 hampers reaching a total of 1426 individuals.
 
Sustaining this level of demand would not be possible without our supporters. Thank you for standing with us.
Children Served
We provided food assistance to 449 children in January, representing 31% of total visits.
 
This is a continuation of a concerning trend we've been seeing, with more young families struggling to keep up with the skyrocketing cost of living.
Demographics
In January, we implemented a new client intake process allowing us to capture more detailed demographic data. This will give us a better understanding of the concerns our clients are facing, in turn improving our advocacy efforts. Stay tuned!
Scotiabank Group Volunteering
In January, we had two groups from Scotiabank visit us for a busy day of volunteering! They helped with everything from unloading donations to preparing vegetable hampers and everything in between. Thanks to both teams for taking time out of your week to give back to our community!
 
If you are interested in volunteer opportunities for your team, please contact us.
 
Volunteer Spotlight
Our dedicated volunteer team is at the heart of everything we do. In this new monthly newsletter feature, we'll be introducing you to the people who make our work possible!
 
For the month of February, we're highlighting Lillian C! Lillian is one of our incredible food pantry volunteers. On Thursdays, she packs food hampers and keeps our shelves stocked and ready to serve the community. We asked Lillian:
 
When did you start volunteering with Bridges to Hope?
I started as a volunteer in the Pantry when I retired in February 2009. Before that, I had served as Secretary on the Board of Directors for 6 years.
 
What is your favourite part of volunteering at Bridges to Hope?
My favourite thing at Bridges is stocking the shelves. I enjoy doing other things as well - whatever needs to be done on that particular day.
 
Tell us a fun fact about you!
I play golf in the summer - sometimes every day - so when people say, "you must be a good golfer", I say I'm a 'happy' golfer - happy to be out in the fresh air playing a game I love with friends with mutual interests.  
 
Please join us in thanking Lillian for her outstanding volunteer contributions over these last 22 years! We are so lucky to have her on our team.
 
Most-needed Items
Flour
We have seen an increase in requests for flour in our food pantry recently. For folks who like to cook or bake, staple ingredients like flour can be stretched a long way!
Cooking Oil
Cooking oil is a kitchen essential that is rarely donated to food banks.
 
Small bottles are preferred, as many folks visiting our food bank are travelling long distances on foot or by public transit.
Spreads for Bread
Bread is included in all food hampers served at Bridges to Hope. Some of our most commonly requested items are 'spreads for bread', such as peanut butter and jam.
 
Updates
Meet Our Newest Staff Member!
We are thrilled to have Lori Warford-Woolgar joining our team this month as Policy Coordinator!
 
Lori is a registered dietitian with a Masters in nutritional science. She has a technical writing certificate from Dalhousie University and is currently completing requirements for the food security certificate program at Toronto Metropolitan University. Lori has worked for a provincial, non-profit school feeding program as a dietitian and regional coordinator and is actively involved in school gardening projects in her community. She is passionate about problem solving, particularly when it comes to improving food security, the health of all people, and the health of the planet.  
 
We're excited to have Lori's expertise leading a review of operational policies and procedures, ensuring a high standard of food safety and client service. Welcome, Lori!
2024 Deadline for Charitable Donations Extended
There's still time to make your charitable donation count for 2024!
 
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has confirmed the 2024 deadline extension for charitable donations. This means eligible charitable donations made up until February 28, 2025 can be claimed on your 2024 personal income tax and benefit return.
 
What donations are eligible? Donations made via cash, cheque, debit/credit card, money order, or electronic payment are eligible for the extension.
 
What donations are not eligible? Gifts in kind, donations made by payroll deduction, and bequests are not eligible.
 
Click here to read CRA's release in full.
Donate now
Burger It Forward
For the third year in a row, Canada Beef and provincial beef cattle farmers and ranchers are partnering with select restaurants across the country to raise funds for food banks.

For every burger purchased at an Irving Big Stop restaurant in Newfoundland and Labrador from February 1-28, Canada Beef will contribute the equivalent of one meal to Food Banks Canada, up to a maximum of 20,000 meals (based on Food Banks Canada’s meal metric: $1 = two meals). And here locally, Atlantic Beef Products Inc. has pledged to contribute $1500 in ground beef to Bridges to Hope! 

Click here for more details. Find a participating restaurant near you and enjoy a Canadian Beef burger in support of a good cause!
37-39 Cookstown Road
St. John's NL A1C 4G7
info@bridgestohope.ca
(709) 722-9225