Members of the community donated generously this holiday season to local food banks.
This was the sentiment shared by both Sources and the 91原创 Food Bank.
For the month of December the 91原创 Food Bank (5768 203rd St.) supported 29 new families, said Jim Calamunce executive director.
Since October he estimates their program has supported upwards of 110 local families.
鈥淲e鈥檙e still growing鈥� this is definitely a lot more than what it would have been鈥� but this is exponential,鈥� Calamunce said, referring to the rise in the number of families accessing the food bank as a result of COVID-19.
But despite the uptick in those needing support during the holidays, Calamunce said the organization didn鈥檛 fall short thanks to members of the community who stepped up to help.
鈥淚 want to say thank you to everybody who gave,鈥� he said.
In one instance, Calamunce recalls a 10-year-old boy who collected and then donated $200 and some groceries.
This year brought unprecedented challenges for our community, but together we faced them with compassion, resilience and fortitude.
鈥� Sources (@SourcesBC)
On behalf of our team and the people we serve, thank you for your support in 2020.
Wishing you and your loved ones wellness in the new year 馃挋馃挌馃挍
But the food bank was in need of far more financial support as it had hoped to purchase 450 turkeys and some chickens to prepare a holiday meal for local families.
And that financial support came in the form of a phone call from Stonehaus Realty.
鈥淲e aren鈥檛 having our Christmas party this year, so we鈥檙e going to give that money to you,鈥� Calamunce retold about the conversation.
鈥淪o we鈥檒l buy all the turkeys,鈥� the firm told Calamunce.
The group then also offered to purchase 267 gifts so each child who is a client of the food bank had something to open on Christmas.
And two other groups provided 70 $20 gift cards.
Later, on a Sunday evening a group of volunteers went shopping at the Willowbrook Toys R Us after hours.
鈥淭hey were so good to us,鈥� Calamunce said about organizing the trip with the toy store.
鈥淎nd we got 267 presents in like 55 minutes,鈥� he laughed.
Calamunce was stunned by the community鈥檚 generosity, as were clients of the food bank.
鈥淥h, they [were] just so excited鈥� and I鈥檒l hear people say, 鈥楢re all those bags are for me?鈥欌�� he recalled families asking when they picked up their items.
Now, with the holiday season behind them the 91原创 Food Bank doesn鈥檛 anticipate the need for their services to diminish.
鈥淚 anticipate the numbers will continue to go up as long as COVID is here,鈥� Calamunce anticipated.
In an effort to keep volunteers and clients safe Calamunce purchased three tents and organizes distribution in the 91原创 Food Bank parking lot.
Volunteers also deliver to roughly 25 and 30 families each week.
All those on site are asked to wear a mask.
Calamunce said the food bank is always in need of 鈥渢he constants鈥� such as, toilet paper, sugar, fish or meat, pasta sauce or personal grooming basics like shampoo.
Meanwhile, program manager Jaye Murray said the Sources Food Bank (208 - 20445 62nd Ave.) was, for the first time, able to provide a full holiday menu to its clients.
鈥淲e were fortunate to receive a many generous donations this year,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 comfortable in saying that our Sources 91原创 Food Bank received more donations, both donations of food and monetary donations, this year than any year since being asked to open our doors over five years ago.鈥�
But Sources has also experienced an increase in the number of families accessing services.
鈥淢ore families have registered, while at the same time families and individuals are not coming on a weekly basis as before,鈥� Murray said.
READ MORE: SOURCES 91原创 Food Bank plans to expand service
鈥淲e attribute this to COVID and the concern of standing in line and attending where there are many people, despite the safe distancing and other precautions taken.鈥�
However, the group has started a Mobile Food Bank to provide support to those unable to access resources in-person due to health reasons.
鈥淗opefully, in the near future, we will be able to provide a depot in Aldergrove, which will be a huge support to those living in the Aldergrove area,鈥� Murray said.
Sources is also happy to receive donations of the 鈥渂asics,鈥� which can include canned protein, rice, juice, fruit, or vegetables.
鈥淥verall I think it went well,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e were able to provide support to all community members who needed our support in a safe controlled setting.鈥�
For more information about accessing services or to support the local food banks visit , or .
joti.grewal@blackpress.ca
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