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What's in Our June Newsletter?
1. Your Impact in May 2026
2. Poverty Report Cards 2026
3. June Food Pantry Wishlist
4. Pilot Program: Eco Eat Explorers
5. Churchill Park Music Festival
6. Join Our Board of Directors
7. Churchill Park Music Festival 2026
8. Community Gives Back: Nova Yoga
9. Volunteer Spotlight
10. Bag to School Arts Contest
11. Community Highlights & Other News
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
Our food bank saw a total of 1,717 visits last month, supporting 1,372 unique individuals across the St. John's Metro region, marking our busiest month on record.
Children Served
Children (aged 0–17) made up 32% of total visits to our food bank last month, representing approximately one-third of community members served.
Seniors Served
Seniors (aged 60+) accounted for 8% of total visits last month, reflecting the ongoing need for support among older adults in our community.
 
Food Banks Canada Poverty Report Card 2026
Food Banks Canada has just released its latest Poverty Report Card, and the findings are concerning.
 
In Newfoundland and Labrador, one in four people experience food insecurity, while 39% of people spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs. The report also found that 59% of government support recipients say their benefits are not enough to keep up with the cost of living.
 
At Bridges to Hope, these numbers reflect what we see every day. More and more of our neighbours are facing difficult choices between food, housing, medicine, and other essentials, and more familes than ever before are turning to our food pantry for support. While we continue to advocate for long-term solutions to address food insecurity, we also know that people need help today. That's why we're expanding programs such as our hamper delivery service, community kitchen initiatives, and opportunities to build food skills.

Together, we are helping build a stronger, more food-secure community. Thank you for standing with us along the way.
 
If you are interested in learning more about Food Bank Canada's Poverty Report Cards for 2026, click here.
 
June Food Pantry Wish List
Cereal
Cereal is a quick and familiar breakfast option enjoyed by many families.
 
It helps provide an easy start to the day and is especially helpful for households with children.
Rice
Rice is a pantry staple across many cultures, making it a key item for our diverse clientele.
 
It’s a versatile base that helps families prepare nourishing meals in ways that feel familiar and comforting.
Canned Meats & Fish
Canned meat is a versatile source of protein that helps families prepare balanced and filling meals.

These pantry staples can be easily added to a variety of dishes and are always appreciated in our food pantry.
 
 
Pilot Program Starting Soon: Eco Eat Explorers
Do you know a youth in grades 9, 10, or 11 in St. John's? Do they want to learn how to grow and cook their own food at home using earth-friendly practices? This program is for them!
 
With funding from the United Way of Newfoundland and Labrador's Community Fund, Bridges to Hope is offering a pilot program called 'Eco Eat Explorers' this summer.
 
Program Details: 

* June to September 2026
* All sessions led by a Registered Dietitian 
* FREE to participate
* All cooking and garden supplies will be provided.
 
Participants will come together in June to plant take-home garden boxes, then join hands-on virtual gardening and cooking sessions throughout the summer. All sessions will be led by a Registered Dietitian.
 
It's free to participate, and all gardening and cooking materials will be provided. To learn more or apply, email us at info@bridgestohope.ca!
 
DEADLINE THIS FRIDAY: Join our Board of Directors
Bridges to Hope is currently recruiting 4 Directors to serve on its Board. The Bridges to Hope Board of Directors is responsible for the governance, financial oversight, and strategic direction of our organization. Members may sit on committees related to governance, fund development, human resources, and facilities management.
 
We welcome applicants with a range of skills and lived experiences, particularly in areas such as fundraising, advocacy, law, non-profit governance, and risk management.
 
To learn more or apply, please visit bridgestohope.ca/board. Applications close on Friday, June 5 2026.
 
Churchill Park Music Festival 2026
We're delighted to be part of this year's Churchill Park Music Festival!
 
When purchasing tickets, attendees will have the option to make a donation in support of Bridges to Hope, and even more exciting, Churchill Park Music Festival will match donations up to $10,000. These contributions will help us continue providing food and other essential supports to our neighbours across the St. John's Metro region.
 
If you're planning to attend the festival this summer, keep an eye out for the donation option at checkout and help make an even greater impact right here at home.
 
A sincere thank you to the festival team for creating this opportunity to give back while celebrating a summer of music!
 
Community Gives Back: Nova Yoga
Sometimes, making a difference can be as simple as a tap.

We're excited to introduce our new Tap-to-Give initiative, creating an even easier way for community members to support our neighbours experiencing food insecurity.

We're grateful to Nova Yoga for their continued support of Bridges to Hope and for becoming the first community partner to host a Tap-to-Give station at their Long's Hill studio, where they offer yoga classes and wellness programming for people of all experience levels. Their support reflects a shared belief that small acts of kindness can have a meaningful impact in the lives of others.

Nova Yoga will be hosting the Tap-to-Give station throughout the month of June. When you drop by for a class, tap your card to help feed our neighbours. All donations stay right here in our community.

P.S.: If your business is interested in hosting our travelling Tap-to-Give station, we'd love to hear from you! Send us an email at info@bridgestohope.ca.
 
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 James B!
 
James spends Tuesday mornings supporting our community by helping with food procurement activities. We caught up with James to learn more about his volunteer experience:
 
When did you start volunteering with Bridges to Hope?
I started volunteering around September 2023 shortly after finishing my summer job at Bridges to Hope!
 
What is your favourite part of volunteering at Bridges to Hope?
My favourite thing is handing out the book bags filled with school supplies with our Bag to School program. It melts my heart when I see a kids face light up when they see their book bag.
 
I remember one time a kid, after seeing their new bag, said to their parent “I thought you said we weren’t going to get a new bag this year.” Experiences like those make me feel like I’m making a difference. 
 
Tell us a fun fact about you!
 
Me and my father are bee keepers! This is our second year bee keeping and hopefully we will be able to collect some honey this upcoming fall. Please question me about bees if you see me around! 
 
Thanks for being a part of our team, James. People like you make our community stronger!
 
Bag to School Arts Contest
We believe every child has a gift worth celebrating, and this coming summer, we want to see it!

As we prepare for our annual Bag to School program, we're inviting all K-12 students in our community to pick up a pencil and let their imagination run wild. Next time you visit our food bank, bring your child's masterpiece, whether it's a dream job, a favourite place, or anything their imagination can create; we want to see it all!
 
Two categories. Two themes.
  • Grades K - 5: Draw Your Happy Place. Where do you feel your happiest? Draw it! A playground, a cozy corner, a magical world, whatever makes you feel most at home.

  • Grades 6 - 12: Draw Your Future. What does your future look like? Where you want to travel, who you want to become, or how you think our province will look in 100 years from now!
Each category will have prizes for a Winner and a Runner-Up.

Submissions will be open from June 22 until July 30. Forms are available in our food pantry. Simply fill out the consent form and drop it off along with your child's drawing on your next visit.

Winners will be contacted privately. No personal information will be shared publicly.

This is about creativity, recognizing the incredible kids in our community, and feeding their futures. We can't wait to see what they create!
 
We want your reusable bags!
 
We are currently in need of clean, gently used cloth bags to help pack grocery orders in our food pantry.
 
These bags play an important role in ensuring food is distributed safely and efficiently to our neighbours.

Bags can be dropped off at 37 Cookstown Road, Monday-Friday between 9:00 AM and 3:30 PM.
 
 
 
Want to Support a Neighbour Every Month?
Join Our Sustainers Circle
Our Sustainers' Circle is a special group of monthly donors who help provide reliable support for our food pantry and community programs throughout the year.

Their ongoing generosity helps ensure we can respond to immediate needs while continuing to build a stronger, more food-secure community.
Join the Sustainers Circle
 
 
Community Highlights
Lanes Retirement Living
Over the past couple of months, residents at Lanes came together to host a food drive in support of our food pantry, collecting nearly 300 pounds of food and personal care items valued at over $950, along with generous monetary donations.
 
We also joined them to discuss the meaningful impact of their generosity for our neighbours experiencing food insecurity. Thank you to the residents, their families, and the staff who made this initiative possible!
Egg Farmers of Newfoundland & Labrador
Our sincere thanks to the Egg Farmers of Newfoundland and Labrador. For years, they have supported our neighbours experiencing food insecurity through donations of fresh eggs to our pantry.
 
Their continued support helps us ensure fresh, nutritious food options are consistently available to the individuals and families we serve. Thank you!
Tiffany Village & Kenny's Pond
There’s something so special about seeing our neighbours come together like this!
 
The residents of Tiffany Village Residence and Kenny's Pond Retirement Residence raised $670 in support of our food pantry through their Spring Fair fundraiser.
 
The community spirit behind initiatives like this is so inspiring. Many thanks to all who supported!
 
Other Updates
Upcoming: Annual General Meeting
The 2025 Annual General Meeting of Bridges to Hope will be held on Thursday June 18, 2026, 7:00 PM at First United Church (221 Park Avenue, Mount Pearl).
 
The meeting will be held in Trinity Hall (access from Churchill Avenue).
 
All are welcome to attend.
Ongoing: Brush Strokes with Lesley - Food Drive
Our friends at Brush Strokes with Lesley are currently hosting a food drive at their studio in support of Bridges to Hope, collecting some of the most-needed items for our food pantry.
 
We’re grateful for their thoughtful support and care for our neighbours.
Ongoing: Colemans, Merrymeeting Road - Food Drive
A heartfelt thank you to Colemans on Merrymeeting Road for their continued support of Bridges to Hope through their in-store food donation box. This ongoing partnership makes it easy for shoppers to give back while picking up their own groceries.

If you're visiting Colemans, we invite you to consider dropping a non-perishable food item into the donation box.
Ongoing: Happy City St. John's - Food Drives
Happy City St. John's is hosting Councillor Town Halls across the city this spring and summer, with food drives at each event in support of our food pantry.
 
If you’re attending and would like to donate, we invite you to bring along a non-perishable food item! Contact Happy City St. John's for more info.
 
 
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
Charitable Reg. No. 859148009RR0001