Surrey-Delta food bank faces record-low donations as demand surges. Families, seniors, and children urgently need community support.

Surrey-Delta Food Bank Faces a Critical Turning Point

When the holidays approach, most people expect warmth, generosity, and community spirit. However, at the Guru Nanak Food Bank in Surrey and Delta, the mood feels very different this season. Instead of fuller shelves and bigger smiles, the team is facing its most difficult challenge yet: donations are dropping just when demand is rising the fastest.

Shelves Emptying Faster Than Ever

According to staff, the food bank currently supports over 21,000 people, and the number keeps climbing every week. Yet, the supply simply cannot keep up. Normally, holiday months bring an increase in donations. But this year, the opposite is happening.

Neeraj Singh Walia, head of operations, explained that donations this season have “dropped drastically” despite the growing need. And instead of slowing down, the demand is picking up speed.

Why the Need Is Growing So Quickly

Every week, new families come in many for the first time. But why now? The reasons are stacking up fast:

• Rents keep rising
• Food prices are climbing
• Job insecurity is spreading
• Winter expenses are increasing
• Household budgets are shrinking

Because of that, families who once donated to food banks are now seeking help themselves. And as Walia pointed out, parents often arrive feeling embarrassed, seniors sometimes skip meals to stretch their budget, and children show up hungry and tired. Although times are tough, hope is still alive because community support makes real change.

Real Stories From the Doorstep

Walking through the food bank, staff say the most heartbreaking part is the people. When seniors quietly admit they skipped breakfast so they could afford medication, it becomes clear this is not just a financial crisis it is a human one. And when parents arrive apologizing as they ask for baby food, the team knows the urgency is real.

Yet, something important keeps happening: they still hope things will get better. They still walk in the door. That alone shows strength and courage. And while the shelves may look empty, the spirit of the volunteers never does.

A Community on the Edge But Not Without Power

Nevertheless, there is good news. One donation no matter how small can spark relief. A few cans of soup can feed a family. A warm gesture can lift a spirit. A bag of rice can restore someone’s dignity. Furthermore, kindness creates momentum, and momentum changes outcomes.

So even though the situation looks tough, the community has the power to shift the direction. The food bank is not asking for excess it’s asking for enough. And enough can make a tremendous difference.

Looking Ahead With Hope

Although uncertainty hangs over the next few months, the food bank believes strongly in the power of community. Every day, volunteers arrive ready to work harder than the day before. And every week, local families prove that generosity still exists.

Additionally, opportunities for support are growing. Local schools can organize drives. Businesses can collect donations at their offices. And individuals can contribute online or in person sometimes even a single grocery item can help more than most people realize.

How You Can Help Today

Even if a large donation isn’t possible, there are easy ways to help right now:

• Donate non-perishable food items
• Give a small financial contribution
• Share the food bank’s story online
• Volunteer for sorting or packing
• Encourage workplaces to get involved

Not only does every effort count, but it also inspires others to act. And when a community moves together, no family has to face hunger alone.

A Season to Remember What Matters

Although this season may feel different from the past, it still holds the chance to be meaningful. Instead of focusing only on what we receive, perhaps this year is about what we can give even if it’s just a reminder that no one is forgotten.

And as Walia wisely shared, “Even a small donation can bring smiles, relief, and dignity to families who are struggling to survive.” That message deserves to travel far, because someone nearby might be waiting for it.

Final Thought Community Wins When Compassion Leads

As the Guru Nanak Food Bank works tirelessly to meet the overwhelming demand, the choice belongs to the community. With every act of kindness, someone’s day turns brighter. And with every donation, confidence returns to a parent, comfort reaches a senior, and strength grows in a child who sleeps with a full stomach.

In the end, food banks do more than fill shelves they fill hearts with hope. That alone is worth keeping alive.

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