In 1981, in response to a downturn in the economy, a coalition of churches opened a food cupboard in Surrey. Two years later, the Surrey Food Bank Society was formed and set up shop in a dilapidated building on King George Highway.

What began as a temporary solution to a temporary problem has grown to a 7,000 sq. ft. warehouse in Whalley, a fleet of three vehicles, 100 active volunteers and a staff core of eight. The Surrey Food Bank Society currently distributes over 56,000 food hampers a year and has expanded support to include many different food security programs, such as Surrey Food Bank's community kitchen, a community garden, food buying clubs, and cookbooks with low cost nutritious recipes.

After 23 years we have come to the realization that people will always need our help. We like to say we give people a "hand up, not a hand out". The Surrey Food Bank's mission is to "Help People Help Themselves". We do that in a variety of ways but primarily by providing a food hamper designed to supplement a client's food needs.

WE FEED PEOPLE

We ~ Not just 'us', not just 'you', the whole community
Feed ~ We nourish with food, dignity, and respect
People ~ Not clients, not numbers or statistics, not 'the needy' or 'those people'; people.

As a non-profit, charitable organization, the Surrey Food Bank is able to operate due to private contributions, donations, corporate sponsorships and various fundraising efforts (events). We receive no government funding.

The Surrey Food Bank Society is run by an elected, volunteer Board of Directors. The Board oversees the Executive Director, staff and volunteers who manage the day-to-day operation of the food bank.

The Surrey Food Bank is a member of the Canadian Association of Food Banks (CAFB) and abides by their code of Ethics. We are also the Provincial distribution center for large shipments of food from Toronto destined for 46 other B.C. Food Banks. The National Food Sharing Program (NFSS) enables national wholesalers and manufacturers to support food banks across Canada.

The Surrey Food Bank Society is an incorporated society (S-18272) in B.C. and a registered charity with Canada Revenue Agency (13216-8162-RR0001)