Thanks Giving!
As gas and food prices increase and the economy is in a slowdown, there is one sector that is increasing that may be hidden from all those except our neighbours. The Don’t Go Hungry Program is currently feeding over 1,200 people (450 households) every Saturday at our four locations, including three in New Westminster (Queensborough, Sapperton, and West End) and South Burnaby (Edmonds). Over half of these are families (one-third are children). The food insecurity in our community is growing. I was away for two weeks in early September and the numbers jumped by 100 people!
We could not support our neighbours without volunteers as well as financial and food support. On behalf of those who are in lineup, I want to say “Thank you” for giving over 350 volunteer hours every week. Especially we appreciate the Rotary’s most recent generous donation of $10,000 from their Bevvies and Bites fundraiser; the Gurdwara’s food drive sponsored by New Westminster-Burnaby MP Peter Julian and Richmond-Queensborough MLA Aman Singh; Canadian Food Bank and Vancouver Greater Food Bank.
While we purchase bulk food items, we are also able to replace broken tables, and other operating expenses. Here is a Thanksgiving weekend challenge for the community…
We need reusable bags! This is one of our major costs! Please drop off any reusable bags at ANY food bank as all food support programs need them! We are a network of support, and Don’t Go Hungry only distributes on Saturdays. Thanks to Holy Trinity, St. Barnabas/Shiloh Fifth Avenue, Hope Omid and Mount Zion Lutheran, Purpose Society, UGM, Salvation Army as well as Greater Vancouver Food Bank, Dan’s Legacy and Refood who deliver food to the sites. Thanks to Queen’s Park greenhouse and Rondriso farm for growing food for us!
If you are employed, can speak English, are well enough to walk, rich enough to drive, and have a safe place to sleep, join me in being thankful. As we harvest from the gardens donated to us to grow food, this Thanksgiving weekend is especially a time to be thankful for food. Tip a turkey drumstick or a glass of clean water in a “cheers”! There is abundance of compassion, community and grace in a world that speaks of scarcity, and self-interest. Happy Thanks Giving!
*Nutritious food, and financial support is also gratefully received! See www.dontgohungry.ca for more info.
Rev. Laurie McKay, St. Aidan's Presbyterian Church and Growing Together Churches
