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What's in Our October Newsletter?
1. Your Impact in September
2. Poverty Report Card 2025
3. Sustainer's Circle
4. Food Pantry Wishlist
5. Staffing Update
6. Volunteer Spotlight
7. Volunteer Applications
8. Community Highlights
9. 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 September, share some programming updates, and send some well-deserved thanks to our supporters. Keep reading to learn more!
Food Hampers
Last month, we served a total of 1445 individuals experiencing food insecurity in the St. John's-Metro region.
Children Served
In September, we served 486 children (aged 0-17), representing roughly one-third of total visits to our food bank.
Seniors Served
Our food pantry served 105 seniors (aged 60+) in September 2025.
Homemade Meals
In September, our volunteers prepared over 1200 homemade meals, which included offerings such as bread, chicken soup, beef goulash, chickpea potato curry, and vegetarian chilli.
 
Thanks to our volunteers for their dedication to these efforts.
Home-grown Treats
We recently received a batch of fresh local blueberries from Barry at Sharing the Harvest NL. One of our kitchen volunteers, Meghan, quickly turned them into a delicious baked treat that we were able to share with our neighbours.
 
Poverty Report Card 2025
Walmart Canada and
According to Food Banks Canada's 2025 Poverty Report Card, food insecurity in our country has risen by nearly 40% in just two years, with 25.5% of households across Canada now affected. Canada also continues to fall behind on other key issues like youth unemployment, housing, and access to social supports.
 
Here in St. John’s, the reality is no different. The increased demand we are seeing at Bridges to Hope reflects these devastating national trends, with over 17,000 visits to our food bank last year alone. Families in the St. John’s-Metro region are being challenged in ways we have not seen before.
 
While we know that food banks cannot solve these policy issues, food assistance programs like ours are a critical lifeline for so many in our community right now.
 
We need strong action by all levels of government to move the needle on food insecurity. See the full report and Food Banks Canada’s policy recommendations here.
Sustainers Circle
Each month, more than 1500 people visit Bridges to Hope for support. Since January, that’s meant over 13,690 people served.

When you join our ‘Sustainer’s Circle’ by becoming a monthly donor, you help us get critical food assistance to the thousands of our neighbours who need it. Your steady support will help ensure children don’t go to school hungry, and families can count on nutritious food month after month.
 
Your generosity makes this possible. Thank you for your ongoing support!
Donate Now
 
 
October Food Pantry Wish List
Canned Proteins
Protein is an essential part of a healthy diet, yet it can often be the hardest to afford. Canned proteins such as tuna, kidney beans, chickpeas, and lentils are a staple item in our pantry.
Canned Soup
Our food pantry receives a high volume of requests for canned soup, especially chicken noodle, vegetable, and tomato.
Toilet Paper
Toilet paper is a household essential that is often overlooked when donating to food banks.
 
Volunteer Spotlight
Volunteer Spotlight at Bridges to Hope - Jenifer S
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 September, we’re highlighting Meghan M! Meghan is one of our dedicated kitchen volunteers, always busy baking delicious homemade bread. We caught up with Meghan to ask her about her volunteer involvement:

When did you start volunteering with Bridges to Hope?
I started at Bridges baking bread in March 2023.
 
What is your favourite part of volunteering at Bridges to Hope?
My favourite element of volunteering at Bridges is the opportunity to serve my community in the very same neighbourhood I grew up in and have moved back to over 20 years later! Full circle moment for me.
 
Tell us a fun fact about you!
Fun fact is October is my favourite month of the year, Halloween is my favourite holiday! 
 
Thanks for being a part of our team, Meghan. People like you make our community stronger!
 
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.
 
Community Highlights
Capital Ford Food Drive
A heartfelt thank you to Capital Ford for hosting the ‘Fill A Ford’ Food Drive in support of Bridges to Hope. Your support comes at a crucial time, when demand at our food bank is beginning to rise ahead of the colder months.
Gower Street United Church & SJIWFF
A heartfelt thank you to Gower Street United Church and the St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival for hosting Films On The Go in support of Bridges to Hope.
 
We are so grateful for this partnership and for everyone who came out to support our neighbours. Thank you!
PetValu 
A big thanks to Pet Valu for their continued provision of pet food items to Bridges to Hope.
 
We’re so grateful for this thoughtful contribution that makes a real difference for our neighbours and the pets they love.

Thank you!
 
Events & Updates
Meet Jess, Our Newest Staff Member!
We are thrilled to welcome Jess Osmond as our new Volunteer Coordinator!
 
Jess brings over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector, with a background in Criminology. She has worked closely with at-risk youth and led initiatives in harm reduction, housing, and food security. At Bridges to Hope, she’ll be connecting volunteers with meaningful opportunities that support our mission and strengthen community impact.
 
When she’s not at work, Jess enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, and getting lost in a great book.

We are so excited to have Jessica on our team!
Food Drive at Beltone Hearing Centre - Ongoing
Our friends at Beltone are hosting a food drive again and are still accepting non-perishable items at their office to help serve our neighbours.
If you'd like to drop off food items, please get in touch with Beltone, or find the location details below.

Location: Beltone Hearing Centre, 3 Paton St, St. John's (Open Weekdays 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM)
Food Drive at Again & Again - Ongoing
Our friends at Again & Again, a social enterprise of Home Again Furniture Bank, are hosting a food drive in support of Bridges to Hope!
 
From now until the second week of October, customers will receive a discount when they bring in a non-perishable food item.

Location: Again & Again, 25 Hebron Way, St. John's, NL
 
Join us in making a greater impact! Share our mission on social media and help us reach even more of our neighbours in need.
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37 Cookstown Rd, St. John's NL A1C 4G7
info@bridgestohope.ca
(709) 722-9225