Basics for Babies: diapers and formula for Langley's food banks

What is it? A campaign that started in 1994, when the radio station noticed Lower Mainland food banks were short of baby supplies. It’s a partnership with Food Banks BC, the provincial association of food banks. The campaign page says it has raised more than $2 million, plus hundreds of thousands of pounds of diapers, formula, baby food and cereal.

Why does Langley come into it? Because the campaign keeps coming here. The station has held its big in-person donation day at the Langley Events Centre more than once. In December 2015 it was a country-music fundraiser at the Events Centre, by donation. In December 2016 a day of snowy roads still brought out at least 5,000 listeners, and the Advance Times reported a record $54,700 in cash and 7,200 pounds of supplies. Some of the goods went to the Langley Sources Food Bank. In December 2021 it was a drive-through in the parking lot, and in December 2023 the on-air team set up there again, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a drive-through lane for drop-offs.

Where does it end up? Cash goes to Food Banks BC, which passes it on to member food banks. Goods collected at the events are shared among food banks, and in 2016 that included Langley’s. If you’d rather give straight to a Langley food bank, the food bank page has the details.

Is it on this year? We couldn’t find a 2026 Langley donation-day date on the campaign’s own page, so check there before you load the car. What we can say is that Basics for Babies is one of the six charities named by the Advance Times as sharing ticket sales from the 11th annual Charity Shopping Night at Willowbrook Shopping Centre on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 7 to 10 p.m. The article doesn’t say more about how that share is used.

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