A ÐÔÊӽ紫ý gurdwara was bustling with activity all day Sunday (July 7), as the Guru Nanak Food Bank (GNFB) hosted a Mega Food Drive and set what they say is a new North American record for the largest single-day donation: 384.5 tons of food.

Held on the GNFB's fourth anniversary, the drive ensured the food bank received a wide array of essential items, including 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, noted a GNFB release.

Neeraj Walia, GNFB head of operations, explained how great the need is in the community.

"This food bank is a non-profit organization – we had 19,000 recipients (in June) – that's the highest ever," he said at the event.

Their goal is to collect at least 313 tons, Walia noted, confident in the community's support.

In June 2024 alone, GNFB served more than 19,000 registered recipients – the highest number served by any food bank in the region, according to Walia – operating in two locations in ÐÔÊӽ紫ý and Delta.

GNFB manager Noor Sandhu noted they have about 20,000 registered recipients, but that each registration often means more than one person in need (i.e. four or five people or however many in the household).

"The registration forms are at around 20,000, but the people under that form might be five, six, seven ore more," she said.

"It is increasing day by day ... at least 20 registrations a day."

With trucks and vehicles lining up to get into the 152 Street gurdwara throughout the day, the community showed up in large numbers, bringing large quantities of food donations as well as large monetary donations, with individuals and businesses stepping up to help the cause. The drive, open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 7, was well on its way to reaching the goal by Sunday afternoon. 

Previously, GNFB raised 243 tons of food in 2023 and 143 tons in 2022. This year, an ambitious target of 313 tons was set, but thanks to the community's generosity, they surpassed it by a significant margin, Walia said, and thanked the more than 200 volunteers and community for their generous support.