Your Impact in June 2025

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What's in Our July Newsletter?

1. Your Impact in June
2. Bag to School 2025
3. Notice to Donors

4. After the Bell
5. Group Volunteering

6. Volunteer Spotlight

7. Food Pantry Wish List
8. National Food Insecurity Summit

9. Events & Updates

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 June, share some programming updates, and send some well-deserved thanks to our supporters. Keep reading to learn more!

Food Hampers

Last month, we distributed 616 food hampers, reaching a total of 1474 individuals across local households in need.

Children Served

In June, we served 442 children (aged 0-17), representing one-third of total visits to our food bank.

Seniors Served

Our food pantry served 124 seniors (aged 65+) in June 2025.

Community Kitchen

In the month of June, our homemade food offerings included chicken soup, beef goulash, chickpea potato curry, and vegetarian chilli, and exceeded 1100 meals.

Thanks to our volunteers for their dedication to this effort!

Bag to School 2025 Applications

For over a decade, Bridges to Hope has been supporting K-12 students in the Metro region through our annual Bag to School program. This program ensures hundreds of students go back to school in September with a backpack filled with the supplies they need for a successful school year.

This year, applications will open on Monday, July 14 at 9:00 AM and close on Friday, July 18 at 4:00 PM. Families who would like to apply will have three ways to do so:

1. Fill out the online application form (any time)
2. Give us a call (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM)
3. Drop by and fill out the application form in person during pantry hours (Tues-Fri 10:00AM - 12:50PM)

Please note this program has limited capacity. Submitting an application does not guarantee a backpack. All families will be contacted directly regarding the status of their application.

Notice to Donors

Please be advised that due to a clerical error in the filing of our 2023 T3010 Charity Information Return, we are unable to issue tax receipts at this time.

This issue is entirely clerical in nature. Donations already processed for this year are unaffected. All programs and services of Bridges to Hope continue to operate as normal.

Donations made during this time will still be eligible for receipt; however, we cannot process your receipt until this issue is fully resolved. If you wish to donate, you can do so using the following methods:

Online Donations

You can still donate online through our website. Tax receipts will be issued when we are able.

Interac E-Transfer

E-transfer donations are accepted at info@bridgestohope.ca. Following your transfer, please send us an email including your name, mailing address, and contact information. We will use this information to issue your tax receipt when we are able.

By Cheque
Cheques can be addressed to Bridges to Hope, 37 Cookstown Road, St. John’s, NL A1C 4G7. We will send an acknowledgement that we have received your donation, and your tax receipt will be issued when we are able.

In-Person
To make an in-person donation, visit Bridges to Hope at 37 Cookstown Road, Monday - Friday between 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM.

Over the Phone

Give us a call at (709) 722-9225, Monday - Friday between 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM to make a credit card donation over the phone.

If you have any questions related to this matter, please contact Lesley Burgess, Executive Director, at lesleyb@bridgestohope.ca, or Ken Peters, Board Chair, at boardchair@bridgestohope.ca.

After the Bell

We are excited to share we are once again participating in Food Banks Canada's 'After The Bell' program this summer. This program provides nutritious snack packs to families with school-aged children when school food programs are unavailable, ensuring children can enjoy their summer days with full bellies.

Each pack contains a mix of shelf-stable items like cereal, crackers, and hummus, along with fresh additions such as fruit and yogurt.

Our sincere thanks to Food Banks Canada for their ongoing partnership and commitment to nourishing children in our community.

Group Volunteering: United Church of Canada

On June 6, we welcomed a whopping 26 representatives from the United Church of Canada for a busy day of volunteering!

They spent the day preparing more than 500 servings of hearty vegetarian chili and assembling 250 nutritious school snack kits, all in support of the local community. Thank you to all participants for lending your hands and hearts to help nourish our neighbours.

A special thanks to our volunteer chef, Matthew, for leading the way, and to First United Church in Mount Pearl for lending us their space.

If you or your workplace would like to get involved, please reach out to our volunteer coordinator, Kaitlin, at volunteer@bridgestohope.ca.

Volunteer Spotlight

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 July, we're highlighting Jenifer S! Jenifer is one of our wonderful volunteer bakers. On Wednesday afternoons, she's busy making the tastiest bread in town for our clients. We caught up with Jenifer to ask her about her volunteer involvement:

When did you start volunteering with Bridges to Hope?

I started volunteering in 2018. I began in a time when food items rather than monetary donations was the norm, so sorting donations could be very time consuming. Then I starting preparing food which led me to bread making during the pandemic.

What is your favourite part of volunteering at Bridges to Hope?

I enjoy the sense of accomplishment after I bake 36-40 loaves of bread all lined up, and having everyone passing through inhaling that wonderful aroma. The aroma has been my dance card in meeting other volunteers outside the kitchen. It is most rewarding to see something worthwhile for your effort--no dissenting perspectives, no debate, no homework!

Tell us a fun fact about you!
When the world was young I danced the Calypso in an age appropriate outfit on local CJON television.

Thanks for being a part of our team, Jenifer. We're glad you've chosen to share your time and talents with us.

In Memory: Betty Barrett

The staff, volunteers, and Board of Directors of Bridges to Hope send our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Betty Barrett, who passed away at the age of 92 on June 28, 2025.

Betty was a dedicated volunteer and supporter of Bridges to Hope for decades. Over the years she held many roles, both as a volunteer in our pantry and as Secretary on our Board of Directors. She was part of the 'Thursday crew', a long-standing group of volunteers who joined us weekly to pack food hampers and carry out prep tasks.

Betty cared deeply for her community; this was evident through her involvement in volunteer and social activities at Bridges to Hope and well beyond. When she retired from her volunteer role at the age of 91, she continued to check in with our staff and volunteer team, often inviting us over for a cup of tea and an elaborate spread of homemade goodies.

Betty will be missed dearly by all who had the honour of knowing her. To view her obituary, please visit carnells.com/obituaries/betty-c-barrett/.

July 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!

National Food Insecurity Summit

From June 17-20, Bridges to Hope attended the 2025 National Food Insecurity Summit and Conference of Food Banks Canada. Joined by food bankers from across the country, we had the opportunity to share stories, strategies, and solutions—because hunger doesn’t look the same in every community, but the need for dignity and access is universal.

Thank you to Food Banks Canada for providing this meaningful forum. We're excited to take what we've learned and apply it here at home as we work toward a future where all our neighbours have access to nutritious and culturally appropriate food.

Community Highlights

Altius Minerals Corp.

A big thank you to this team from Altius Minerals who spent their Monday morning volunteering with us!

Not only did this group of 6 jump in to lend their time, but Altius also made a generous $5,000 donation in support of our pantry operations.

We’re incredibly grateful for this meaningful contribution. The team at Altius Minerals have been regular supporters of Bridges to Hope for quite some time.

JMG Legacy Inc.

We were honoured to receive a $2,500 donation from JMG Legacy Inc., a not-for-profit founded by brothers James and Christopher Goodridge in memory of their late mother, Janet Murphy Goodridge. Proceeds from their golf pools go toward NL-based charities and their mom’s legacy scholarship.

To make it even more meaningful, each pool winner gets to select a local charity to support and this time, Gerard, Ryan, the winner, chose Bridges to Hope!

We’re so grateful for this thoughtful gesture and the ripple effect of kindness it creates.

Pat's 80th Birthday Party

Pat’s family hosted a special celebration for her 80th birthday at their home, and turned it into a beautiful act of giving.

In lieu of presents, guests were invited to support Bridges to Hope with food and financial donations. And they delivered!

A heartfelt thank you to Pat, her family, and everyone who joined in with such generosity. What a meaningful way to celebrate a milestone birthday!

C-NLOER

Thanks to the amazing team at C-NLOER for joining us to volunteer in our food pantry!

They helped us sort donations, repackage bulk food items for distribution, and carry out other tasks that helped us be better prepared to serve our neighbours.

St. David's Church

We're grateful to the members of the St. David's Presbyterian Church 'Good Companions' group for their generous financial donation made towards our food pantry.

Thank you for your continued support!

Mary Queen of Peace Elementary

A heartfelt thanks to the students, staff, and families of Mary Queen of Peace Elementary in St. John’s for organizing an end-of-year food drive in support of our pantry.

Thank you and have a great summer break!

Neptune Lodge No. 22

Our sincere thanks for a generous financial donation collected by Neptune Lodge No. 22 at their April meeting.

NL Powerlifting Association

Members of NL Powerlifting dropped by our pantry with a generous food donation. Thank you for this thoughtful gesture!

First United Church

We're thankful to the members of First United Church Women for a financial donation made toward our Smart Snack Program. This will help us purchase healthy snacks for children in our community.

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church

A big shout-out to the Sunday School at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church for assembling and donating 40 birthday cake kits!

These thoughtful kits will bring moments of celebration and joy to families who may otherwise go without on their special day. Thank you!

Food Drop off from the Church Ladies

We’re so grateful to the church ladies at St. David’s for assembling 100 breakfast kits for children in our community.

These kits help fill the gap left over the summer when school food programs are unavailable, ensuring children start their day with nourishing food over the summer break. Thank you for your care and timely support!

In memory of Dr. Jean Bruneau

We are honoured to have received donations in memory of the late Dr. Jean Bruneau, a dedicated advocate for the arts and community sector in Newfoundland and Labrador.

These thoughtful gifts made in her memory are already making a difference for those in our community facing food insecurity. Thanks to everyone who donated in memory of this remarkable woman.

Organigram Global

A big thank you to Frank from Organigram Global for spending an afternoon volunteering in our food pantry.

We truly appreciate your support, Frank!

Sharing the Harvest NL

Many thanks to Barry from Sharing the Harvest NL for dropping off a generous batch of local rhubarb for our pantry!

It’s always a treat to receive locally harvested produce.

You Make It Possible

Our heartfelt gratitude to all our donors, community partners, sponsors, and volunteers. Our work would not be possible without you.

Together, we are relieving hunger in the St. John's region. Thank you!

Events & Updates

Annual Report 2024

We’re pleased to share that our 2024 Annual Report is now available!

Take a moment to explore the impact we’ve made together and the milestones we reached over the past year.

You can view the full report at bridgestohope.ca/newsletter.

Bag to School Program 2025 - Upcoming

Fill a backpack, Feed a Future!

Bridges to Hope's annual Bag to School program provides school supply assistance to hundreds of families experiencing financial hardship in the St. John's-Metro region.

Help us to send hundreds of K-12 children back to school with all the tools they need to thrive. For the latest updates, stay connected with our social media and website.

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 Kaitlin at volunteer@bridgestohope.ca.

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

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