Your Impact in March 2026

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What's in Our April Newsletter?

1. Your Impact in March

2. Menstrual Equity Fund
3. We're Hiring: Admin & Records

4. Food Bank Feedback Survey

6. March Food Pantry Wishlist

7. Volunteer Spotlight

8. Volunteer Drivers/Passengers Needed

9. Community Highlights & 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.

Food Hampers

Our food pantry saw a total of 1,631 visits last month, representing a 22% increase compared to March of last year.

Children Served

Children (aged 0–17) made up 32% of total visits to our food bank last month, representing nearly one-third of community members served.

Seniors Served

8.3% of total visits in March were seniors (aged 60+). Many of these food hampers were delivered through our partnership with Connections for Seniors.

Menstrual Equity Fund

We're proud to announce Bridges to Hope is participating in the Menstrual Equity Fund now until April 2027!

Led by Food Banks Canada, the Menstrual Equity Fund (MEF) is a national pilot project supported by Women and Gender Equality Canada to address period poverty across the country. Through the MEF, we’re distributing free menstrual products directly to our neighbours, and to other local community organizations so we can reach as many folks as possible.

Menstrual products are a basic need, and too often our neighbours are forced to choose between purchasing food and personal hygiene items. The MEF will help ensure everyone has what they need to manage their periods with dignity.

We're Hiring: Administration & Records

We’re hiring a part-time (25 hrs/week) Administration & Records Assistant!

This position will be responsible for reception, administrative tasks, and bookkeeping support. The ideal candidate for this position is highly organized and adaptable, and is motivated by contributing to a community-focused mission. They bring strong administrative and bookkeeping skills, with the ability to manage a wide range of responsibilities with accuracy and attention to detail. They demonstrate sound judgment, initiative, and the ability to prioritize competing demands, often working independently while supporting a small, collaborative team. They communicate with professionalism, empathy, and respect, and are comfortable interacting with a diverse range of community members.

Sound like a good fit? To learn more or apply, please visit bridgestohope.ca/hiring.

Applications close on April 24, 2026 at 4:00 PM.

DEADLINE EXTENDED - Food Bank Feedback Survey

As a community-based organization, feedback from our neighbours plays an important role in helping us grow and continue to serve our community. Your input helps us better understand what’s working, where we can improve, and how we can strengthen our impact across 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 take a few minutes to complete our anonymous feedback survey.

Please click on the button below to share your thoughts by April 10.

Thank you for your time!

Share Your Thoughts!

April Food Pantry Wish List

Tea & Instant Coffee

Many of us start our day with a warm cup of tea of coffee. Did you know that in March Bridges to Hope distributed a total of 3,330 tea bags and more than 4,750 servings of instant coffee?

Ready-to-eat Meals

Ready-to-eat meals such as instant noodles/ramen cups, canned pasta, packaged curry pouches, and mac-n-cheese cups are commonly requested in our pantry.

Crackers

Crackers are a versatile pantry item that can be paired with a variety of foods or enjoyed on their own. They provide a simple and convenient option for meals and snacks!

Volunteer Spotlight

Volunteers are at the core of everything we do at Bridges to Hope. Each month, we have the pleasure of recognizing one of the incredible individuals who help make our work possible. This month, we’re proud to highlight Alan P!

Alan is one of our dedicated volunteers who spends Friday mornings supporting the community through our food pantry. We caught up with Alan to learn more about his volunteer experience:

When did you start volunteering with Bridges to Hope?

As a donor to Bridges to Hope, I learned in the fall of 2025 they were looking for volunteers, and became one in January 2026 - good decision! Wish I'd thought of it earlier.

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

It's the variety; so many interesting employees, volunteers, and clients. The Pantry Team's job is to fill orders for clients, but we also do anything that's needed. So I’ve stocked shelves, and shovelled snow. It was working in the kitchen I got to dress up in a hair net and rubber gloves - all part of the fun :-)

Tell us a fun fact about you!

My partner and I live for about half the year in Salvage, on the Eastport Peninsula, where we're much involved as volunteers with the Salvage Fisherman's Museum. In my volunteer capacity, I welcome all to visit the Museum - July to September.

Thanks for being a part of our team, Alan. People like you make our community stronger!

Volunteer Drivers & Passengers Needed!

We’re looking for volunteer drivers and passengers to join our team!

Our van volunteers are essential members of our team, delivering support to our neighbours and carrying out retail food recovery, donation pick up, and shopping. If you enjoy being on the road and making a meaningful difference, this could be a great fit for you!

We are particularly in need of drivers/passengers during the following shifts:

Tuesdays, 9:00 - 12:00 PM (donation pick up)

Tuesdays, 1:30 - 3:30 OR 5:30 - 8:00 PM (food hamper deliveries)

Thursdays, 1:30 - 3:30 OR 5:30 - 8:00 PM (food hamper deliveries)

Requirements: Valid driver's licence & clear driving abstract (for drivers only), ability to lift up to 50lb (for drivers & passengers)

If you have any questions about these roles, please reach out to Jessica at volunteer@bridgestohope.ca.

APPLY TO VOLUNTEER

Community Highlights

Georgestown Neighbourhood Association

Our sincere thanks to the Georgestown Neighbourhood Association for hosting a food drive in support of our food pantry.

Held last month, the drive brought in more than 80kg of food valued at over $600 to help support our neighbours experiencing food insecurity.

Thank you very much for your partnership on this initiative!

RCMP Federal Policing Eastern Region

Our heartfelt gratitude to the RCMP Federal Policing Eastern Region for their thoughtful support of Bridges to Hope.

Through their Easter initiative, they collected a car load of donations weighing over 170 kgs, helping ensure our shelves are stocked for our neighbours.

Many thanks to you for your continued support!

CFUW St. John's

We're thankful to the Canadian Federation of University Women St. John's Chapter for their ongoing support.

Following their successful annual book sale fundraiser in March, they generously donated a large number of reusable bags in support of our food pantry!

Thank you for your continued care and commitment to our community.

Other Updates

Ongoing: Food Drive - You're invited

Our friends at Lanes Retirement Living are hosting a food drive in support of Bridges to Hope!

Throughout April, all are invited to contribute non-perishable food items to help support our food pantry and the neighbours we serve.

Duration: April 1 - April 30
Drop-off Location: Front Desk, Lanes Retirement Living, 134 Airport Heights Drive, 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 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

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