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YVR, Quest holiday hampers will feed 7,500 British Columbians

A total of 1,264 hampers were created by the airport and Quest

More than 1,200 holiday hampers are on their way to local families in need, thanks to Vancouver International Airport (YVR)’s 12th Annual Hamper Drive, in partnership with Quest Outreach Society.

The 1,264 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.

Quest secured more than 1,200 turkeys from a local producer as well as other holiday items to fill the hampers and stock the shelves at the pop-up market.

“It’s never been more important, nor difficult, to source the groceries our communities need and want through the holiday season,” said Theodora Lamb, executive director at Quest.

“The story of the holiday hamper is really the story of food security across British Columbia, and the global economic barriers that face it.”

Roller coaster cost of food

According to 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 hampers, say YVR, will provide a complete meal for more than 7,500 people.

“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 CEO 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 (the) hampers for B.C. families.”

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