ON its 4th anniversary, Surrey’s Guru Nanak Food Bank (GNFB) organized a mega food drive on Sunday, July 7 and collected 384.5 tons of food that they claimed was a new North American record for a single-day donation event.

The mega food drive ran from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. with over 200 dedicated volunteers ensuring its smooth operation throughout the day. Local radio and TV stations provided live coverage, capturing the spirit and generosity of the community.

The GNFB received a wide array of essential items that will sustain the food bank for more than 76 months. Donations included wheat flour, canned foods, diapers, baby food, sugar, lentils, tea, coffee and snacks. The continuous flow of donations throughout the day was a testament to the community’s unwavering support, the GNFB said.

Reflecting on previous years, the GNFB said it raised 243 tons of food in 2023 and 143 tons in 2022. This year, the team set an ambitious target of 313 tons, but thanks to the community’s generosity, they surpassed it by a significant amount.

The event saw the participation of the mayors of Surrey and Delta, who appealed for donations. BC Conservative Leader John Rustad also attended, contributing to the cause and encouraging the community to donate.

The GNFB expressed it heartfelt gratitude to all the volunteers and donors who made this achievement possible.