Our youth, they are our future… and if this is the way they are starting out, we should be glad to see it!
Students at Central Community Church are busy planning their third annual food collection event for the local Salvation Army Community Food Bank. The goal of this event is to fill 5 ton trucks with nonperishable food items, and to help bring awareness to the issue of hunger in our community.
The Food Bank has been actively meeting the needs of the hungry in Chilliwack for over 30 years and its resources assist over 3,800 residents, many of who are under-employed or unemployed.
A study performed by Food Banks Canada found that over 833,000 people across Canada accept the help of food banks on a monthly basis; over a third are children.
Food banks are having a difficult time keeping up with the need. This is due to a shortage of food and cash donations. The study found that 38% of the food banks in Canada have been forced to reduce the amount of food being given out. As well, 53% of food banks are required to purchase more food than in previous years because in-kind donations do not meet the needs of those coming for assistance.
"This need for food donations is continual and vital to the well-being of many individuals and families in our community," said Stuff a Truck organizer, Jonathan Kornelsen. "We are asking our community to help end hunger in Chilliwack and the District of Kent. Last year at our second annual Stuff a Truck event, donations exceeded 27,000 non-perishable food items!"
This year the goal is to raise 40,000 items.
Central Community Church, with the help of Sardis Fellowship Baptist Church, Save on Foods, Superstore, Super Valu, The Drive 89.5, The Chilliwack Progress, The Agassiz Harrison Observer, Custom Printers, and many churches and youth groups in our community will hold the third annual Stuff a Truck fundraiser on May 30 from 9 am to 5 pm.
This year, they have expanded the drop off locations to include Save on Foods (46020 Yale Rd.,W Chilliwack), Superstore (45779 Luckakuck Way, Sardis) and Super Valu (7024 Cheam Ave., Agassiz). You can show your support by dropping off donations in the trucks provided by Coastal Mountain Fuels.
Students will be assisting with food sorting & directing donors. Hot dogs and pop, donated by Save on Foods and Superstore, will be handed out to those who donate to the event.
For more information about how you can donate, go to www.central365.org or contact Pastor Jonathan Kornelsen at 604-792-8037 or office@central365.org