Coquitlam firefighters flip burgers for food bank fundraiser
Posted on July 23, 2026 by
The Coquitlam Firefighters Charitable Society will be behind the BBQs at Blue Mountain Park on July 24
Freshet News | Janis Cleugh | July 22, 2026
Off-duty smoke-eaters with the Coquitlam Firefighters Charitable Society will be behind the barbecues on Friday for a good cause.
On July 24, society volunteers are at Blue Mountain Park from 4 to 7 p.m. to grill up burgers and hot dogs — and hand out drinks and chips — to diners. A burger meal is a suggested donation of $10 and a hot dog dinner is $7.
Proceeds will go to the Remember the Food Bank campaign by SHARE Family and Community Services, a social services agency that aims to raise $150,000 this summer for Tri-City residents who use the food bank.
Demand for the food bank has doubled since 2022; it now feeds 5,000 people monthly, said Sarah Zurbuchen, SHARE’s director of community engagement.
Steve Piccolo, president of the Coquitlam Firefighters Charitable Society, told Freshet News the BBQ request from SHARE was an easy yes for his group as it already contributes to the Feeding Futures program at participating School District 43 schools. This year alone, the society has brought in $60,000 for the program.
“Because there’s no snack program during the summer, we were eager to help SHARE with their food bank event,” Piccolo said. “The need is big.”
Zurbuchen said one in three food bank recipients are residents under the age of 18.
“We are so blessed to work with the Coquitlam Firefighters Charitable Society especially during the summer months when we know there is such a critical need for children,” she said.
Food for the July 24 BBQ will come from SHARE’s grocery providers and suppliers.
Meanwhile, tickets are now on sale for the Coquitlam Firefighters Charitable Society’s sixth annual Coquitlam Mayor’s Charity Gala on Nov. 7. The signature fundraiser, which last year collected north of $100,000, takes place at The Show Theatre in the Great Canadian Casino in Coquitlam. Visit coquitlamfirefighterscharity.com for tickets or to sponsor.
