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Baby diapers desperately needed at Maple Ridge food bank

Diapers and baby formula are in high demand at the Friends In Need Food Bank

Empty shelves line a section of the food bank in Maple Ridge, shelves that are meant to hold diapers for babies. 

Currently the Friends In Need Food Bank is in great need of diapers, especially ones sized five and six, for toddlers who are now standing and moving about.  

Evan Seal, general manager of the Friends In Need Food Bank, explained they are always in need of baby items, like diapers, baby food, baby formula, and wipes. 

However, he noted, they have barely any sized five/six diapers. 

“There are a lot of young families that rely on the food bank just for diapers,” explained Seal.  “It seems like kids go from a one/two to a five/six very quickly.”

And, he said, although it seems like they have a decent amount of the other sizes, their inventory will disappear quickly.

Also in high demand at the Friends In Need Food Bank is baby formula. 

Last year a Baby Essentials drive was put on by Falcon Homes, to increase donations of diapers and formula. 

"The cost of diapers and formula continues to increase and we try to keep inventory so we can help our clients by providing them with these basic needs for their babies," explained Mary Robson, executive director of the Friends In Need Food Bank, at the time, noting that donations over the holiday season were down about 25 per cent.

Before Christmas Seal noted that new registration numbers were up almost 30 per cent, with no decline of current clients.

That's why Seal and Robson were grateful to the students at Maple Ridge Secondary, who held their annual holiday food drive and collected 450 pounds of non-perishable food items, and $1,975 in cash donations.

And at the beginning of January, Robson and her team at the food bank marked a decade partnership with one of their biggest community supporters. 

Vanguard Mechanical Ltd., a Maple Ridge mechanical contracting company, has been supporting food bank in Maple Ridge since 2015, providing resources to ensure families in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows have access to nutritious food and essential supplies in the fight against food insecurity.
Thousands of pounds of non-perishable food and cash donations have been raised by employees of the company, contributions matched by owner Jacob Kuehne. 

Their latest contribution, donated in 2024, was $35,000.
“Vanguard Mechanical’s unwavering support over the past decade has been nothing short of extraordinary,” said Robson.

“Their generosity has allowed us to expand our reach and provide essential support to thousands of individuals in need. Partnerships like this are the lifeblood of our organization, and we are deeply grateful for their commitment to building a stronger, more compassionate community.”
The Friends In Need Food Bank serves more than 800 households every week, offering critical support to vulnerable individuals and families.

Operating without recurring government funding, the food bank relies entirely on donations and volunteer efforts.

Vanguard Mechanical’s consistent generosity has been essential in meeting the rising demand for services, said Robson, particularly during times of economic uncertainty and increasing living costs.
“Giving back to the community has always been a priority for Vanguard Mechanical,” said Vanguard Mechanical owner Kuehne, reaffirming his partnership with the food bank.

 “The Friends In Need Food Bank does vital work, and we are honoured to support their mission.”

To donate to the Friends In Need Food Bank go to: https://friendsneedfood.com/, call: 604-466-3663, or warehouse donations can be made from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. from Monday to Friday at 22726 Dewdney Trunk Road. 

 

 

 


 



Colleen Flanagan

About the Author: Colleen Flanagan

I got my start with Black Press Media in 2003 as a photojournalist.
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