Perhaps Norman Rockwell's famous "Freedom From Want" painting describes it best.
Also known as the Thanksgiving Picture, the image shows a family about to sit down and enjoy a Thanksgiving turkey feast, at a prettily set table laden with other goodies, surrounded by smiling, expectant faces.
For those who are in need this holiday season, such a meal is merely, a fantasy. And that's why organizers of the 2024 BC Thanksgiving Food Drive are hoping White Rock and South Surrey residents will help.
Since 2008, the BC Thanksgiving Food Drive (BCTFD) has been a driving force in helping to feed thousands of people across B.C. who rely on food banks for their basic nutritional needs. In South Surrey and White Rock, the event is co-ordinated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) in support of Sources South Surrey/White Rock Food Bank, the local member of Food Banks BC.
Last year, the campaign raised more than 25,000 pounds of food with the support of more than 200 volunteers.
"This is truly a community event with the involvement of churches, grocery stores, local businesses, schools, hundreds of volunteers and our local Sources Food Bank," said event co-ordinator Duane Johnson.
“All food and cash donated stays in our community for those in need right here in South Surrey/White Rock.”
In the past year alone, the South Surrey/White Rock Food Bank has experienced a 33 per cent increase in weekly visits by people living our shared community, he noted. Of this, 35 per cent are under the age of 18 and 15 per cent are over the age of 60.
“These are unprecedented times," said Carrie Belanger, manager of food security programs at Sources. “With today's high costs of food and housing, people are coming to us because they are no longer able to make ends meet. Every day we are registering new families. Food banks have always been meant as an emergency service, as a last-resort. People are now turning to them as a primary source of their weekly groceries.”
To help meet this needs, community volunteers will deliver bags to Peninsula residents for non-perishable food donations from Monday, Sept. 16 to Thursday, Sept. 19. Filled bags can then be placed on the front doorstep for pickup by 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21.
“Thanks to the generosity of everyone who donates through the BC Thanksgiving Food Drive, we can address the food insecurity issues happening here in South Surrey and White Rock. If you can, please give generously. We are one community.” says Belanger.
Expired items cannot be used, he added.
Financial donations can be made in person at the food bank or online at Sources.
To volunteer, contact Johnson at duanej@shaw.ca
