Presentation of first donation to the Surrey Food Bank by a community group – North Surrey Lions. From left to right, Clay Campbell, Wilf Stacey, Barry Shiles, Jim Voight, unknown.
Our History
In 1981, in response to a downturn in the economy, a coalition of churches opened a food cupboard in Surrey. Two years later, in June 1983, the Surrey Food Bank Society was formed and opened in a dilapidated building on King George Highway. The location and the Society itself were deemed to be temporary measures until the economy turned around and people could get back on their feet.
What began as a temporary solution to a temporary problem has grown to a 23,000 square foot facility in Newton, three community depots, a fleet of five vehicles, three lift trucks, more than 200 active volunteers and a core staff of fifteen.
The Surrey Food Bank currently distributes food to approximately 1200 families each week and has expanded its reach by providing food and household items to the schools, shelters, missions and transition houses who are serving vulnerable populations.