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What's in Our May Newsletter?
1. Your Impact in May
2. Partnership with Walmart & FBC
3. Seeking Warehouse Space
4. Group Volunteering at Bridges
5. Volunteer Spotlight
6. Food Pantry Wish List
7. Community Highlights & Thanks
8. Events & Updates
Bridges to Hope Food Aid Centre's Impact in the community shown in this picture

Hey, neighbours!
Bridges to Hope is committed to providing dignified and accessible assistance to those experiencing food insecurity. Our vision is a community where all of our neighbours have access to nutritious and culturally-appropriate food.

In this issue of our newsletter, we reflect on our collective impact in May, share some programming news and updates, and send some well-deserved thanks to our supporters. Keep reading to learn more!
Food Hampers
Last month, we distributed 763 food hampers reaching a total of 1546 individuals.
Children Served
In May, we served 483 children (aged 0-17), representing just over one-third of total visits to our food bank.
Seniors Served
Our food pantry served 118 seniors (aged 65+) in May 2025.
Overall Visits
In May 2025, 1546 individuals accessed our food bank, a 31% increase compared to the 1,181 people we supported in May 2024. This sharp rise underscores the growing and ongoing need for emergency food assistance in our community.
 
Thank you for standing with us to ensure no one in our community goes hungry.
Community Kitchen
In the month of May, our homemade food items, such as chicken soup, beef goulash, chickpea potato curry, and vegetarian chilli, exceeded 1100 meals.
 
Thanks to our volunteers for their dedication to this effort! 
 
Food Banks Canada & Walmart Visit
Walmart Canada and
On May 26, we welcomed some very special guests to our food pantry: Jenn and Nick from Walmart Canada, Erin and Jenn from Food Banks Canada, and Tina and Joe from Community Food Sharing Association!

Their visit was part of a growing national partnership dedicated to advancing sustainability and food security across the country. Walmart Canada and Food Banks Canada have built an incredible food recovery network for local food banks like ours. To date, Walmart has donated over 200 million meals nationwide—including here in Newfoundland and Labrador—making a real difference for thousands of our neighbours each year.

During their visit, we had meaningful conversations about the challenges we face every day: rising grocery costs, limited storage space, and increasing demand. We discussed practical ideas on how this national partnership can ease some of those pressures, right here in St. John’s and surrounding areas.

We’re also incredibly excited to share that we have received funding through Food Banks Canada’s Access Grant to purchase a specially designed, spacious cargo van to facilitate a mobile food bank here in St. John’s and surrounding areas!
 
This van will significantly enhance our ability to support our neighbours, and we can’t wait to share more with you soon.
 
To Walmart Canada, Food Banks Canada, and everyone who supports our mission to relieve hunger in the St. John’s-Metro region, thank you for standing with us and helping to build stronger, more food secure communities.
 
Food Inflation and Operational Changes
Our Executive Director, Lesley Burgess, recently spoke with CBC about the growing demand at food banks, the impact of rising food prices, and the steps we’ve been taking to respond. She shared insights on how our pantry's new Choice Model is giving people more dignity and flexibility by allowing them to choose the food that best fits their needs.

Lesley also emphasized how food inflation has increased operational costs, with more people visiting our food pantry than ever before. To read the full article, please click here.
 
We're looking for food-grade warehouse space!
If you've ever visited us in person, you know that every inch of space is maximized to provide as much food storage as possible. But with demand for our services continuing to increase, our building on Cookstown Road has officially reached its storage limit.
 
We are now seeking roughly 1000 sq ft of food grade warehouse space in the St. John's-Metro region. Dedicated warehouse space will allow us to purchase a larger quantity of food at once, meaning we can stretch our dollars even further in support of our neighbours.
 
Have a lead? Please reach out to us at info@bridgestohope.ca, or by phone at (709) 722-9225!
 
Group Volunteering at Bridges to Hope
Last month, we welcomed some folks from TechnipFMC into our food pantry for a full day of volunteering. This team is no stranger to the work of Bridges to Hope—they join us regularly to support our food bank operations.
 
It's acts of kindness like this that make our mission possible. Thanks to the whole team!

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, or contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Kaitlin, at volunteer@bridgestohope.ca.
 
Volunteer Spotlight
Volunteer Spotlight at Bridges to Hope - Angeline A
Every day at Bridges to Hope, volunteers work tirelessly to deliver critical community support. Our mission would simply not be possible without this incredible team.
For the month of June, we're highlighting Angeline A! Angeline is a friendly face you’ll see at our food pantry every Tuesday. For roughly 20 years, she has joined us each week to pack food hampers and ensure our neighbours have access to critical food assistance.

We asked Angeline about her volunteer experience:

When did you start volunteering with Bridges to Hope?
Around 2004/2005, when we were still at Cochrane Street Church.

What is your favourite part of volunteering at Bridges to Hope?
The feeling of helping others in the community, the ability to give back, and working with such lovely people.

Tell us a fun fact about you!
I love to travel, and each spring or summer, I track the NL Power ospreys’ nest camera on Snow’s Lane: interesting bird-watching!
 
Thanks for being a part of our team, Angeline. Your 20+ year commitment to relieving hunger is inspiring, and we're so lucky to have you!
 
June Food Pantry Wish List
Diced Tomatoes
Did you know that the red pigment in tomatoes, called lycopene, is an antioxidant? Antioxidants protect your body’s cells from damage, which helps keep you healthy.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is known for its protein content, but it also contains healthy fats that can help improve blood cholesterol. To boot, it’s a source of fiber at 2 g per 2 tablespoon serving!
Oats & Oatmeal
At 4 grams per ½ cup serving, oats are a high source of dietary fibre. Half of this fibre is soluble fibre, which helps create a feeling of fullness all while helping to lower blood cholesterol. 
Food donations can be dropped off at 37 Cookstown Road, Monday - Friday from 8:30 AM until 4:00 PM. Thank you for your support!
 
6 Ways to Support Bridges to Hope
Donate

Did you know that over 80% of our revenue comes from donations?

Your contribution enables us to purchase essential food and supplies through our trusted partner suppliers and maintain our regular operational costs.

To donate visit our website.
Sponsor a Meal or Donate Food

You can help us provide nourishing meals to those in need by sponsoring a meal or donating food items.

To sponsor a meal,
please contact us at info@bridgestohope.ca or drop off food items Monday-Friday between 8:30 AM- - 4:00 PM.
Become a Volunteer
Your dedication and time are vital to our mission. Join our dedicated team of volunteers to help sort, pack, and distribute food to those in need.
 
To explore available volunteer positions, please head over to our volunteer page.
Host a Food Drive
Organize a food drive at your workplace, community event, or local group to collect essential goods and help stock our shelves with much needed items for our neighbours.
Host a Fundraiser
Consider organizing an event at your workplace, a community gathering, or with friends to raise funds in support of our food pantry.

Your fundraiser will help us continue our mission to relieve hunger in our community.
Spread the word
Join us with our social media, sharing our impact, and raising awareness within your circles, by engaging this way you help amplify our mission.

Our main channels are Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
or forward this email to someone you know.
 
Community Highlights
Presbyterian Church in Canada Visit
Earlier last month, we were happy to host Rev. Patricia Dutcher-Walls, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, for a visit to our food bank.
 
We had a fruitful discussion on some of the similar trends and challenges our food banks are experiencing from opposite coasts, the importance of providing low- to no-barrier emergency food assistance and the essential role of the community in food banking.
Wake-A-Thon Fundraiser by Students at Waterford Valley High School
A heartfelt thank-you to the amazing students of Waterford Valley High School for organizing and hosting a student-led Wake-a-thon fundraiser in support of our food pantry.

Their energy, dedication, and community spirit turned a sleepless night into a meaningful impact, raising funds to help us support families in need.
 
We’re so grateful to these young changemakers and everyone who contributed to this inspiring effort!
Dry Soup Kits Assembled by Guillevin
A huge shoutout to the amazing team at Guillevin for assembling 500 dry soup kits for our food pantry! 

Each kit includes all the essentials to make a hearty barley and yellow split pea soup, spices and all!

We’re so grateful to everyone who took time out of their week to support our community in such a thoughtful way. 
Laureate Beta Chapter
Many thanks to the members of Laureate Beta Chapter, Beta Sigma Phi, for collecting money among the members and donating to ensure that our shelves are stocked.

It's kind acts like these that help us continue our mission. Thank you, ladies!
Egg Farmers NL
We’re deeply grateful to Egg Farmers NL for their continued bi-weekly donation of eggs for our neighbours.

Your generosity adds real value to the hampers we provide and helps us go further in nourishing our community. Thank you for standing with us!
Thank you
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.
 
Events & Updates
Welcoming Kaitlin
We're thrilled to welcome Kaitlin Denine Mogridge to our staff team as Volunteer Coordinator!

Kaitlin attended Memorial University and completed her undergraduate degree in Gender Studies and Sociology in 2020 and her graduate diploma in Gender Studies in 2022. She has enjoyed volunteering with many organizations, including the St. John’s Status of Women Council, YWCA St. John’s, Intersections: MUN’s Resource Centre for Marginalized Genders, and Camp Eclipse: OUT in the Woods.

We're excited to have Kaitlin on our small but mighty staff team!
Volunteer Applications Open
Looking to get more involved in our community? We are currently accepting applications for a variety of volunteer roles. 
 
Both morning and afternoon shifts are available. For more information or to apply, click here. If you have any questions about volunteer opportunities at Bridges to Hope, please reach out to us at volunteer@bridgestohope.ca.
Notice of Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of Bridges to Hope will be held on June 12th, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. at First United Church, 221 Park Avenue, Mt. Pearl.

Everyone is welcome to attend. The meeting will be held in Trinity Hall, accessed via the side door on Churchill Avenue.
 
Join us in making a greater impact! Share our mission on social media and help us reach even more of our neighbours in need.
PS: If this email landed in your spam or promotions folder, please move it to your inbox or add us to your safe sender list so you don't miss future updates.
37 Cookstown Rd, St. John's NL A1C 4G7
info@bridgestohope.ca
(709) 722-9225