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By 7 a.m., volunteers are on-site at the Storehouse Community Hub Society in Surrey, BC, ready to prepare for another busy day of service. Drivers head out to collect donations, while others set up tables and tents. Dairy, meats, fresh produce and other essentials are carefully organized for clients visiting the food bank that day.
Much of food available is donated through Second Harvest, with the community hub receiving donations seven days a week through scheduled deliveries, as well as occasional pickups coordinated through the Second Harvest Food Rescue App.
“The food we receive through Second Harvest has a really significant impact on the community,” says Courtney van den Boogaard, director of food distribution. “Without it, we really wouldn’t be able to do what we do — it really is the backbone of our programs.”
By 8 a.m., attention turns to the dining hall, where food prep begins for Storehouse’s mobile meal program. Running Monday through Thursday, the program delivers hot meals — primarily to seniors — along 18 different routes across the region.
“Besides a meal, it’s a bit of a wellness check, a bit of interaction with another human being,” Marty Jones, executive director of the hub, shared. It is what he loves most about the program.
Volunteers often form meaningful connections with the people they serve. In some cases, arriving with a meal has even led to critical interventions, when volunteers noticed something was wrong and helped connect clients with emergency services.
Once meals are packed up for delivery, the dining hall is reset to prepare for the evening’s community meal.
This year, Storehouse expanded its services to include mobile outreach, a new initiative launched in January 2025. Staff go directly into the community to connect with people who may be unhoused or otherwise in need of support. They offer sandwiches, warm beverages, clothing, hygiene items, first aid supplies and referrals to housing and support services.
“People just need someone to listen to them and be their friend,” Larissa Blatny, outreach and shelter coordinator, said. “Having that connection with them and seeing a smile on their face when we appear brings us joy. We love to share food with anyone who needs it, and Second Harvest helps us accomplish that."
Storehouse Society currently serves over 1,000 families each month, but with food insecurity growing across the country, close to 500 families remain on their waiting list — a challenge they are working to meet through partnerships with organizations like Second Harvest.
“We love being that bright spot. We can be the group that provides people with the food they need to sustain them.” Marty shared. “We have big dreams for our food bank. We know they’re dreams that can be accomplished — and that happens through partnership.”
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