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This year’s hamper drive, a partnership between Vancouver International Airport and Quest Outreach Society, yielded 1,264 hampers for families in need this holiday season.

Photo courtesy Vancouver International Airport

Airport, Quest Outreach Society holiday drive yields 1,264 hampers

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 4:13 PST, Thu December 8, 2022

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Today, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) hosted its 12th annual hamper drive in partnership with Quest Outreach Society, preparing 1,264 hampers for families in time for the holiday season.

The hampers, which include meal essentials and festive favourites, were created by travellers, employees, and the airport community at the first ever YVR Quest Pop-Up Market. With the rising cost of food and supply chain challenges, Quest secured more than 1,200 turkeys from a local producer as well as other holiday items to fill the hampers in advance and stock the shelves at the pop-up market to simplify the program and ensure complete meals could be delivered to families in need across the Lower Mainland.

“It’s never been more important, nor difficult, to source the groceries our communities need and want through the holiday season. The story of the holiday hamper is really the story of food security across British Columbia, and the global economic barriers that face it,” says Quest executive director Theodora Lamb.

“The last few years have been a roller coaster when it comes to the cost of food. This year has been extra challenging for something like turkeys, given the impact of avian flu across North America, the rising cost of feed which is a direct impact of the war in Ukraine, as well as cost increases that make raising poultry more expensive than before, due to inflation. For example, the cost of turkeys has increased by 251 per cent since 2020, when we were last able to distribute them.”

The 1,264 hampers that were prepared at the airport this year will help ensure approximately over 7,500 British Columbians are able to sit down for a complete meal this holiday season. As a part of the program, YVR also facilitates the distribution of these hampers.

“Serving our community is at the core of what we do, and YVR is proud to once again partner with Quest Outreach Society to help ensure families are able to enjoy a complete meal and celebrate the holiday season together,” said Tamara Vrooman, president and chief executive officer at Vancouver Airport Authority. “A big thank you to our employees, partners, and airport community for your generosity with shopping our Pop-Up Market and preparing 1,264 hampers for B.C. families.”

Thanks to produce partner BC Fresh, recipients of this year’s hampers will also receive fresh potatoes, beets, onions, and carrots to go along with their locally-sourced turkey. Hampers also include fresh oranges and other pantry items expected on a holiday table like cranberry sauce, stuffing, and pre- and post-dinner treats.

Together with Quest, YVR has donated more than 8,000 hampers since the start of the hamper drive program in 2011.