On December 5th, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Quest Food Exchange collected a record 1,289 food hampers for the holiday season. The hampers, which include all the essentials for a holiday meal, were collected and counted at YVR’s favourite spot, The Spirit of the Haida Gwaii: the Jade Canoe. For every hamper filled, YVR will donate a turkey and Quest will provide fresh seasonal vegetables. The hampers will be distributed to families in need across the Lower Mainland.
“Supporting our community is fundamental to YVR, and we strive to take care of our neighbors. Quest Food Exchange is one of our incredible community partners who makes a difference in the community and we are extremely proud of the work they do,” said Kim Halowski, Manager, Community Relations. “Over the years, we have introduced Quest to a number of YVR business partners, who have found ways to work together to reduce food waste at YVR and to simultaneously help families in need.”
Since the Hamper Drive started in 2011, over 7,000 meals have been donated to Quest. Quest works to reduce hunger in local communities by providing dignified access to affordable and sustainable food options in not-for-profit grocery markets to those who face food security challenges in British Columbia.
“Over the past decade, YVR has been one of the most significant supporters of Quest; from providing 3 refrigerated trucks, to hosting a penny drive, to donating 5835 holiday hampers [prior to 2019’s event] that enabled 29,175 individuals to share a turkey dinner with loved ones.” said Elizabeth Lewis-Crudgington, Executive Director, Quest Food Exchange. “On behalf of the entire Quest Food Exchange team and board of directors, we would like to thank YVR Airport Authority and the Sea Island community for placing their trust in Quest to facilitate the distribution of hampers to hundreds of clients of social service agencies throughout the lower mainland”
As a community-focused organization, YVR supports programs that empower communities in Metro Vancouver and beyond. YVR donates more than $1 million annually to over 50 organizations that have created innovative programs to help their communities. Partnerships such as this one are part of YVR’s commitment to bring social benefits to the communities the airport serves. A big thank you to the community for coming together for this event in the spirit of giving.