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What's in Our December Newsletter?
1. Your Impact in November
2. Miracle on Cookstown Road
3. Food Pantry Wishlist
4. Volunteer Spotlight
5. Volunteer Recruitment
6. Giving Tuesday Update
7. Community Highlights & Thanks
8. Events & Updates
Bridges to Hope Food Aid Centre's Impact in the community shown in this picture
Hey, neighbours: Happy Holidays!
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 November, share the latest updates on some ongoing and upcoming programming, pantry numbers, and extend some well-deserved thanks to our supporters. Keep reading to learn more!
Food Hampers
Last month, we served a total of 1480 individuals experiencing food insecurity in the St. John's-Metro region.
Children Served
In November, we served 474 children (aged 0-17), representing just over one-third of total visits to our food bank.
Seniors Served
Our food pantry served 104 seniors (aged 60+) last month. That's a staggering 24% increase compared to the beginning of 2025.
Record-breaking year

2025 has been another record-breaking year here at Bridges to Hope. Our food bank has seen 15,987 total visits so far this year—with nearly one month still left to go. 

Thank you for standing by us as we address this critical need.
 
Miracle On Cookstown Road
Walmart Canada and
Our Miracle on Cookstown Road campaign is our biggest fundraiser of the year. It helps ensure we can continue to provide nutritious food assistance not just during the holidays, but all year-round.
 
This year, our holiday food assistance program received applications from over 800 households, representing nearly 1,900 of our neighbours. With more families, seniors, and children turning to us for assistance than ever before, we need your help to ensure every household receives the support and comfort they deserve to make this season one to remember. 
 
As we work to meet massively increased demand, your generosity helps us make sure that local families can gather around the table with dignity, warmth, and nourishing food this winter.
 
Thank you for sharing in the Miracle of Kindness and helping us reach more of our neighbours experiencing food insecurity.
 
If you would like to make a donation in support of our Miracle on Cookstown Road campaign, please click on the button below.
 
Help Us Feed Families
 
 
December Food Pantry Wish List
Baby Formula

Baby formula is a critical need for many families. With increased demand this year, we have seen requests for baby formula increase dramatically.
Rice
Rice is a staple pantry item for many families who visit our food bank. Whether long grain, brown, basmati, or instant, we'll put all types of rice to good use!
Snacks & Sweets
Everyone deserves the basic comfort of a treat. This December, we're encouraging donations of sweets and snacks such as granola bars, cookies, and chocolates to make the season a little brighter.
 
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 December, we’re highlighting Cameron W! Cameron is one of our dedicated prep volunteers. On Mondays, Cameron sorts food donations, portions bulk food items, and keeps the pantry in tip-top shape.
 
Cameron is also our go-to guy for woodworking projects around the food bank: he recently built new shelving for our waiting area to help support our client choice food pantry model!
 
We caught up with Cameron to ask him about his volunteer involvement:
 
When did you start volunteering with Bridges to Hope?
I started volunteering with Bridges to Hope in July 2025.
 
What is your favourite part of volunteering at Bridges to Hope?
I like feeling like I’m helping in some way. Also the people I’ve met have been really nice and fun to work with.
 
Tell us a fun fact about you!
I like woodworking and my favourite band is the Tragically Hip.
 
Thanks for being a part of our team, Cameron. People like you make our community stronger!
 
Volunteer Applications Ongoing
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. If you would like more information or to apply, please click here. If you have any questions about volunteer opportunities at Bridges to Hope, please reach out to Jess at volunteer@bridgestohope.ca.

Volunteer groups from companies and organizations are also welcome!
 
Giving Tuesday
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to Bridges to Hope on December 2nd for Giving Tuesday. Your generosity has given real momentum to the start our Miracle on Cookstown Road campaign, and we are so grateful for your support.
 
Food is a basic need, but it's also a tool for social connection. As we gather around tables with loved ones this holiday season, know that your gift to Bridges to Hope has brought comfort, dignity, and connection to thousands of our neighbours experiencing food insecurity.
 
Thank you for being part of a community that looks out for one another, and for helping us celebrate the season with kindness and care.
 
Community Highlights & Thanks
Ecclesiastical Insurance
Our profound gratitude to Ecclesiastical Insurance for donating us $12,500 to make our neighbours' holiday season bright.

Your generosity will help us bring hope, dignity and comfort to those who are experiencing food insecurity this holiday season and beyond. Thank you for your support.
Altius Minerals Corporation
Our heartfelt gratitude to our friends at Altius Minerals Corporation for their generous donation of $5000 in support of our 'Miracle On Cookstown Road'  Campaign.
 
Your generosity will help us fill our neighbours' plates this holiday season and beyond. Thank you!
Blue On Water
A huge thank you to the staff at Blue On Water who got together and collected more than $2,600 in food and $3,000 in funds to support our Miracle on Cookstown Road campaign. 

We’re so grateful for their continued support.
Hudson & Rex
Our sincere thanks to the cast and crew of Hudson & Rex for organizing a food drive food drive in support of our food pantry.
 
When filming wrapped for the season, this team collected almost 230 pounds of food for our neighbours.
 
Wishing you all a restful holiday season!
Bell Aliant Pioneers
What a fantastic way it was to kick off our Miracle on Cookstown Road campaign.
 
Bell Aliant Pioneers Fort Pepperrell Club generously donated $1,000 in support of our holiday food assistance program to bring food, comfort, and dignity to families in our community this holiday season.

Thank you and wishing you all a happy holiday ahead!
Avalon Celtics U15C
The Avalon Celtics U15C team collected school snack items at their home games through November. Then, the whole team joined us to assemble school snack kits for the families who visit our food pantry!
 
What a wonderful way to give back to the community. Thank you and happy holidays, team!
MUN Campus Kin Club
Well done to the MUN Kin Club! This group spent a day at Sobeys Howley Estates collecting food to help restock our food bank shelves.
 
Thank you to these busy students for giving up their Saturday in support of our neighbours!
Path Finders & Rangers
What a great initiative from our young generation! Path Finders and Rangers girl guides hosted a food drive and collected over 300 pounds valued at just over $1000.

Thank you so much to all of these youth for helping help us relieve hunger this holiday season!
Food Drive - Coleman's NL Drive & Mount Peal
A big thank you to everyone who stopped by Colemans on NL Drive and Mount Pearl for our Miracle On Cookstown Road food drives! Together we collected over 500 pounds of food, along with generous monetary contributions.
 
A huge shoutout to the amazing Coleman’s NL Dr and Mt Pearl staff for their help and kindness.
Urban Shoe Company
A heartfelt thank you to Urban Shoe Company for supporting Bridges to Hope during their recent Black Friday initiative.
 
This past weekend, $5 from every pair of shoes sold in their St. John’s store was donated to our food pantry, resulting in an incredible $1,000 raised to help feed neighbours in need.
Pampered Chef
Christine at Pampered Chef comes again with such a nice Giving Tuesday initiative idea this time to help us brighten our clients' holiday season.
 
She gave her customers a discount and free shipping for anyone donating to Bridges to Hope.

Thank you Christine for your support!
Kinetic Chiropractic
Thanks so much, Kinetic Chiropractic for hosting a food drive in support of our food pantry.
 
This means so much to us during this time of the year as we see a significant increase in demand in our food pantry everyday.

Thank you!
 
Events & Updates
SJFM Festive Market
Support local for your holiday shopping this year!
 
You can catch our wonderful volunteers at the St. John's Farmers' Market's Festive Market this Saturday, December 6th. They'll be at the Community Table sharing information about our programs and services and collecting donations in support of our food bank.
 
We hope to see you there!
Ongoing: Miracle on Cookstown Road 2025
The holidays are a season of joy for many, but for some families, it's a time of stress and worry as they face added financial pressures.
 
Our Miracle on Cookstown Road campaign aims to make things a little brighter for these families, not just during the holidays but all year-round. Donate to help us keep nutritious food on over 1500 of our neighbours' plates this holiday season and beyond.
 
To support the campaign, visit bridgestohope.ca/miracle.
 
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