The parking lot at Strawberry Hill Plaza in Surrey bustled with activity last weekend as dozens of volunteers in bright orange vests collected bags of non-perishable food items from a steady stream of donors. This marked the launch of Guru Nanak Food Bank’s fifth annual Mega Food Drive, an initiative that has become a cornerstone of community support in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland.
“We’re seeing more families than ever before turning to food banks,” explained Neeraj Walia, director of Guru Nanak Food Bank, as he helped unload groceries from a minivan. “The rising cost of living has pushed many working families into situations where they must choose between paying rent or buying groceries.”
The food drive, which kicked off on April 20th, will run through May 31st, with collection sites established at key locations across Surrey, Delta, and Vancouver. The organization hopes to collect over 500,000 pounds of food this year, a substantial increase from last year’s 300,000-pound haul.
What began as a pandemic response in 2020 has evolved into one of the region’s largest food security initiatives. The Guru Nanak Food Bank now serves more than 2,800 families monthly through its three locations in Surrey, Delta, and Vancouver.
Premier David Eby, who attended the launch event, praised the organization’s community-centered approach. “What impresses me most about Guru Nanak Food Bank is how they’ve identified a critical need and mobilized community support to address it,” Eby said. “Their work embodies the spirit of coming together that makes our province strong.”
The timing of this year’s drive is particularly crucial. According to Food Banks Canada’s HungerCount report, British Columbia saw a 33% increase in food bank usage in 2023, exceeding the national average increase of 32%. The report also noted that nearly 38% of food bank clients in the province are children, despite representing only about 20% of the general population.
“Each bag of donated food represents more than just calories,” said Inderjit Kaur, a volunteer coordinator who has been with the organization since its inception. “It represents dignity for a family who might otherwise go without, or a senior who shouldn’t have to choose between medication and meals.”
The food drive is accepting a wide range of non-perishable items, with particular emphasis on protein-rich foods like canned tuna, salmon, and beans, which are often in short supply. Baby formula, diapers, and personal hygiene products are also being collected – items not covered by many assistance programs but essential for family wellbeing.
Surrey city councillor Mandeep Nagra highlighted the drive’s importance to the city’s diverse population. “Surrey has welcomed thousands of newcomers in recent years, many of whom face temporary food insecurity while establishing themselves,” Nagra explained. “The food bank provides a crucial bridge during these transition periods.”
The organization’s approach reflects the Sikh principle of seva, or selfless service, though Walia emphasizes that their services support community members of all backgrounds. “Hunger doesn’t discriminate based on faith or background, and neither do we,” he said. “We’re here to support anyone who needs help.”
Local businesses have also stepped up to support the initiative. Strawberry Hill Shopping Centre has provided space for collection, while several grocery chains have set up donation bins at their locations. Fresh Street Market announced they would match food donations made at their stores during the campaign.
“Businesses have a responsibility to the communities they serve,” said Peter Leung, manager of a participating Fresh Street Market location. “Our customers and staff live here, and supporting food security is supporting our neighbors.”
Beyond food collection, the organization is working to address root causes of food insecurity. Last year, they launched a job skills program that has helped dozens of food bank clients secure employment. They also provide nutrition education and cooking classes focused on making healthy meals on limited budgets.
According to Statistics Canada data released in January, British Columbia’s food inflation rate remained higher than the national average through most of 2023, putting additional pressure on low and middle-income households. A survey by the BC Federation of Students found that nearly 40% of post-secondary students reported experiencing food insecurity in the past year.
Ravinder Singh, a former food bank client who now volunteers with the organization, shared his perspective: “When I first came to Canada three years ago, I struggled to find work that could cover all my expenses. The food bank helped me through those difficult months, and now I’m giving back.”
Collection sites for this year’s drive include community centers, places of worship, schools, and shopping centers across the region. Volunteers will be present at high-traffic locations on weekends, while permanent donation bins are available at participating businesses throughout the campaign.
For those unable to donate food items, the organization is also accepting monetary donations through their website, which will be used to purchase fresh produce and dairy products to complement the non-perishable donations.
As the afternoon sun began to set over the collection site, Walia reflected on the drive’s growth since its first year. “When we started, we hoped to collect 10,000 pounds of food. Now we’re aiming for half a million. It shows what’s possible when a community comes together with common purpose.”
The Mega Food Drive runs until May 31st, with a celebratory closing event planned at Holland Park in Surrey, where final donation totals will be announced.
