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Mission Food Bank Faces $100,000 Shortfall, Urges Community Donations

Ellie JonesNovember 13, 20251 Mins read29

Volunteers move large stacks of boxed food at St. Joseph’s Food Bank in Mission during donation shortages, used by Surrey Speak for reporting on the $100,000 shortfall.

Volunteers preparing recovered food at St. Joseph’s Food Bank as the Mission charity faces a $100,000 donation shortfall. (Photo for Surrey Speak)

Mission’s St. Joseph’s Food Bank Faces $100K Gap, Calls for Urgent Help

St. Joseph’s Food Bank in Mission is raising an urgent appeal after reporting a $100,000 shortfall compared to last year. The organization says donations have fallen by 70 per cent, particularly from local businesses creating significant strain as the holiday season approaches.

Cash, Not Food, Is the Critical Need

Despite a deepening need for food security, the food bank says the real struggle isn’t food supply. In October 2025, St. Joseph’s recovered 122,000 pounds of food through its Retail Recovery Program. Of that, 92,000 pounds were distributed to families and partner food banks, 20,000 pounds went to farmers for non-human consumption, and 10,000 pounds were composted.

Director and volunteer Jim Hines says the organization now needs financial support more than ever. “We have the food to feed our community,” he said. “But without cash donations, we struggle to deliver it. Food isn’t the issue right now it’s keeping the lights on and gas in the trucks.”

Rising Demand and Growing Pressure

The food bank served 925 households in October nearly 1,940 individuals. It also supports Chehalis First Nation, providing food to an additional 210 households and 340 people.

Operating costs such as fuel, insurance, vehicle repairs, and utilities are becoming increasingly difficult to manage. According to the organization, without immediate community support, their ability to deliver food could be at risk.