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What's in Our February Newsletter?
1. Your Impact in January
2. Food Bank Feedback Survey
3. Food Pantry Wish List
4. CCSNL Information Session
5. Volunteer Spotlight
6. Volunteer Recruitment
7. Community Highlights
8. Other 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.
Food Hampers
Last month, our food bank saw 1,526 total visits. 
Children Served
In January, 515 of visits to our food bank were children, accounting for one‑third of overall visits.
Seniors Served
Last month, 135 visits to our food bank were seniors (aged 60+), 
 
Groceries and Essentials Benefit
 
On January 26, the Government of Canada announced the new Groceries and Essentials Benefit, formerly the Goods and Services (GST) credit.

This is an affordability measure that food banks and other food security organizations across the country have long advocated for. It will provide immediate relief to individuals and families with low incomes, who are bearing the brunt of the affordability crisis.

If you currently receive the GST credit, here’s what this means for you:

👉 A one-time top-up of 50% coming in June of this year
👉 A 25% increase to your quarterly GST credit payments beginning in July

In a time when 30% of households in our province are experiencing some level of food insecurity, we welcome this measure as a first step in addressing soaring food prices and other cost of living pressures.
 
Food Bank Feedback Survey
As a community-based organization, feedback from our neighbours is essential to help us fulfill our mission. Your feedback helps us understand what’s working, what we could tweak, and how we can increase our impact in the St. John’s Metro region.
 
If you have accessed Bridges to Hope’s food bank within the last 12 months, we invite you to complete our anonymous feedback survey. Please click on the button below to share your thoughts. Thank you for your time!
 
Find the survey here
 
February Food Pantry Wish List
Canned Pasta/ Meals
Canned pasta and ready-to-eat meals such as noodles and rice packets provide a quick and convenient food option, especially for those without access to full kitchen facilities.
Canned Tuna/Meats
Tuna and other canned meats are an important source of protein who access our food pantry. Pull-tab cans are especially helpful!
Peanut Butter/Jam
Peanut butter, jam, and other spreads for bread are commonly-requested items in our food pantry.
 
Information Session: Credit Counselling Services of Newfoundland & Labrador
 
Food bank demand has surged in response to the skyrocketing cost of living. Rent is too high, groceries are too expensive, and incomes aren’t keeping pace. Our community is feeling the effects, with more and more families struggling to make ends meet.
 
We can’t budget our way out of an affordability crisis, but we can learn practical tools and realistic strategies to help reduce financial stress.
 
Join Lauren Holwell, Executive Director of Credit Counselling Services of Newfoundland and Labrador (CCSNL), for a discussion of money management during an affordability crisis and what free resources are available through CCSNL.
 
This session is free and open to all members of the public. Snacks, coffee, and tea will be available during the presentation.
 
Where: Bridges to Hope, 37 Cookstown Road
When: Thursday, February 12, 2:30 PM
 
We hope to see you there!
 
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 February, we’re highlighting Jim B! Jim is one of our dedicated volunteers. On Wednesday mornings, Jim packs food hamper orders in our pantry. Jim has been volunteering with Bridges to Hope for an outstanding 22 years, and has seen lots of change in his time! We caught up with Jim to ask him about his volunteer involvement:
 
When did you start volunteering with Bridges to Hope?
I began volunteering with Bridges to Hope in the fall of 2003, 22 years ago.
 
What is your favourite part of volunteering at Bridges to Hope?
My favourite thing about working there is the people I meet, both the volunteers who are dedicated and lots of fun, and the clients we serve.

Tell us a fun fact about you!
A few years ago, my two sons and I completed a 3-day 36 km backcountry hike from Western Brook Pond to Gros Morne mountain.
 
Thanks for being a part of our team, Jim. People like you make our community stronger!
 
Volunteer Recruitment
We're looking for a VOLUNTEER DRIVER to help with donation pick up runs a few times each month!

Shift time: Bi-weekly on Fridays, 8:45 to 9:45 AM
Requirements: Valid driver's licence, clear driving abstract, ability to lift up to 50lb
 
Sounds like a good fit? Please reach out to Jessica at volunteer@bridgestohope.ca for more information!
 
Community Highlights
A&W White Rose Drive
Thanks to the folks at A&W White Rose Drive for their support. $2 from every Teen Burger they sold on January 15 was donated in support our neighbours. Thank you!
The Dandelion Few
Our sincere thanks to The Dandelion Few for dropping off food donations collected at their 'Damp January' show at The Ship this year. We appreciate your continued support!
MINI St. John's
What a way to serve their neighbours! MINI St. John's turned test drives into community support in December, donating $5 for every test drive taken.
 
In total, they donated $500 in support of our pantry!
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian (The Kirk)
A heartfelt thank you to the Sunday School students at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian (The Kirk) for assembling dry soup kits in support of our food pantry. Their thoughtful efforts will help provide warm, nourishing meals for our neighbours.
 
Other Updates
Thank you, Lori!
Lori is concluding her term as Policy Coordinator with Bridges to Hope, and we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for the outstanding work she has done over the past year.
 
With funding from Food Banks Canada's Standards of Excellence Grant, Lori joined our staff team in 2025 to update policies and procedures related to food operations and food safety.
 
Her impact will continue to guide our work every day. We are deeply grateful for all she has done, and wish her every success in her future endeavours. Thank you, Lori!
 
Join us in making a greater impact! Share our mission on social media and help us reach even more of our neighbours experiencing food insecurity.
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