A group of Maple Ridge Secondary School students stood outside the school in the rain on Wednesday, raising donations for the local food bank.
There were 32 students – both student council members and a couple of other students who wanted to join in – who took part in the 32nd annual MRSS food drive, collecting money and non-perishable food donations for the Friends In Need Food Bank.
The students raised more than 565 pounds of food donations and $2,900 during the drive that took place from 8-9 a.m. and from 2:30-3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
Grade 11 student, Avery Metz, spearheaded the food drive this this year, under the mentorship of Grade 12 student Charolette Bose, who has been involved in this event in the past. The event takes place every year under the guidance of teacher Maria Trudeau, who is the Student Council Sponsor.
For Metz, the food drive is near and dear to her heart.
When she was younger, a the family of a good friend of hers relied on the food bank.
Her friend’s mother lost her job and had to take care of two children.
They started struggling with money and paying their bills, said Metz, and then they moved in with family in Kamloops.
Metz’s friend confided in her with their struggles.
“She told me she wouldn’t really talk about it with many other people. Her mom tried counselling with her but she wouldn’t really open up,” explained Metz, who felt honoured her friend trusted her to talk to.
Now, when Metz thinks about her friend, and she walks around Maple Ridge, she sees a lot of people who struggling.
“I just think that there’s a lot of people around me who are struggling with the same thing who aren’t comfortable telling me,” she said.
“If they don’t want to tell me about it, I want to be able to give them that support that they need without them having to ask for it,” added Metz.
Evan Seal, general manager of the Friends In Need Food Bank said they are so thankful to the Maple Ridge Secondary community.
“Raising nearly $3,000 and 600 pounds of food is a tremendous accomplishment and will go a long way to support our clients this holiday season,” he said.
This year has been especially tough for the community food bank, that feeds more than 800 families across Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
In April they were already sounding alarm bells about the drop in perishable food collection from local grocery stores, something they blamed on supply chain disruptions caused by the tariff war between the United States and Canada.
Now, they are seeing more households needing help, along with the ongoing stress of high food prices and the cost of living for donors.
“We are incredibly humbled and grateful for the generosity of our families and community as a whole. The need is greater than ever and finances are tight, yet our community came together and supported the event without hesitation,” said Kris Crawford with Maple Ridge Secondary.
“No donation was too small and collectively we have made a tremendous difference to those who need a little help this Christmas. We are truly very grateful to one and all,” she said.
To donate to the Friends In Need Food Bank go to: https://friendsneedfood.com/ .