There was a downturn in the economy in 1981 and as a result of some families not having enough to eat a coalition of churches opened a food cupboard to help make ends meet. Just two years later in a worn out building on King George the Surrey Food Bank Society was born. All of this good intention, of course, was meant to be temporary. Sadly, like income tax laws which were brought in temporarily in 1917 to help with the war effort, it appears Food Banks are here to stay. Don’t get me wrong, food banks in of themselves are not the seedy, low-life places some would have you believe. Most that I’ve been at, mainly as a volunteer are upbeat, positive places providing nutriton and meals to a variety of people from all walks of life, including working poor. Equally important each and every food bank I have ever been to also serve up heaping amounts of hope. There is no price you can put on that. The downside, which is pretty obvious is that in a society as well-off as ours so many people and their children must rely on the food bank simply to survive. Recent estimates put the numbers at one-third of those served at the food bank are children. Often parents are having to decide on what they will do without to have a bag of diapers. However, thanks to so many generous individuals, companies and businesses South of the Fraser needs are being met. We must remain vigilant in our efforts to keep the shelves full. And, let’s not forget that donations of cash give the food bank triple the buying power. This past weekend during the Vaisakhi celebrations 107.7 Pulse FM partnered with the Surrey Food Bank and through your generosity, we raised $7181.00 in cash and more than 39-hundred pounds of food and supplies. Congratulations and a heartfelt thank you! Who knows maybe one day there will no longer be a need for “temporary” food banks. Until then, it is always comforting to know they can count on you! More tomorrow on Pulse Mornings 6 am – 10 am.
Ian Power
@ianonair
ian@pulsefm.ca