April 2026 Newsletter
April is Earth month, and at Friends In Need Food Bank, we’re working to support both our community and the environment.
Our Impact
March was one of our busiest months yet.
We continue to see a significant increase in individuals and families accessing food support across Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. Rising food and fuel costs are stretching household budgets, and more working families, seniors, and individuals are turning to the food bank for help.
Thanks to your support, here’s what we accomplished in March:
Earth Month
Fighting Food Waste
Food waste is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, but it’s also one of the most preventable.
Did you know that nearly half of all food produced is lost or wasted? If food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest producer of greenhouse gas emissions in the world, behind only the United States and China.
Through our Perishable Food Recovery Program, we rescue surplus food from local grocery partners and redirect it to families in need, keeping good food out of landfills and on tables in our community.
Since 2019, this program has:
• Recovered 7.9 million lbs of food
• Prevented approximately 7.8 million kg of CO₂ emissions
Want to help the environment while also supporting your community?
You can do both through Return-It BC! By downloading the Return-It app, you can donate your bottle and can refunds directly to Friends In Need Food Bank, either as a one-time donation or automatically.
Set up automatic donations in just a few steps:
- Download the Return-It app
- Select “Set Automatic Donation”
- Search Friends In Need Food Bank
- Return your bottles and cans as usual
Upcoming Events
Ridge Meadows Home Show
We're happy to announce that Friends in Need will be returning to the Ridge Meadows Home Show.
Stop by our booth to pick up your free vegetable seed pack and learn more about the Plant a Row – Grow a Row – Donate a Row program. We’ll also have a giveaway you can enter while you’re there.
When: May 1 - 3, 2026
Hours:
Friday May 1: 4pm - 9pm
Saturday May 2: 10am - 8pm
Sunday May 3: 10am - 4pm
Saturday May 2: 10am - 8pm
Sunday May 3: 10am - 4pm
Where:
Planet Ice Maple Ridge
Corner of Jim Robson Way (105th Ave) & Lougheed Hwy
23588 – 105th Avenue
Maple Ridge
Planet Ice Maple Ridge
Corner of Jim Robson Way (105th Ave) & Lougheed Hwy
23588 – 105th Avenue
Maple Ridge
We hope to see you there!
News and Updates
Support from Egg Farmers of BC
Thank you to Food Banks BC and Egg Farmers of BC for their generous egg donation.
Eggs are a great source of protein but are often difficult for us to keep stocked. Typically, we reserve them for priority groups, but this donation allowed us to provide eggs to all clients, expanding access across our community.
Loblaws Feed More Families Spring Food Drive Results
The Loblaws Feed More Families food drive has come to an end.
Thanks to the generosity of customers at Shipley’s No Frills and Real Canadian Superstore, 2,149 lbs of food was raised.
Right now, this support is especially important as we move into spring and summer, when donations tend to slow and demand remains high.
BC Liquor Distribution Branch: Support BC Food Banks Campaign
The BC Liquor Distribution Branch is currently running its Support BC Food Banks Campaign.
From April 1st to 30th, BC Liquor and Cannabis customers can donate in-store, with funds supporting food banks across the province, including right here in our community.
Thank You
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. This work is only possible because of the continued support of our community.
- Friends in Need Food Bank