To the Editor:
On Thurs., Dec. 14, the Cawston Seventh Day Adventist Church and Salvation Army Food Bank distributed over 100 hampers on site.
Volunteers cheerily greeted the recipients, handed out boxes of food and a beautiful extra touch was a gift room hosted in the Cawston Church basement. Toiletries, presents and plentiful snacks filled the room. Gently used clothing and household items were available as usual on Food Bank Day.
Volunteers also provided rides home to those who came on bicycles or did not have transportation.
The Cawston Food Bank is very grateful to Cawston Marketplace, Direct Organics Plus, Ingrid and her team of monthly volunteers, resident Christmas angels Debbie and Gayle and their friends, everyone who supported the dinner and dance and hot dog fundraisers, Keremeos Fire Department, Keremeos RCMP and local businesses and all who made it possible to make Christmas a little more merry for those in need in the area.
Keremeos Valley First Credit Union operates the Feed the Valley campaign year round and this helps the budget. The Salvation Army Penticton funds the Cawston Food Bank year round with financial donations and budgeted operational funds and a great deal of food from the Penticton Salvation Army Food Bank depot, as well as local food donations.
A very special thank you to the Lower Similkameen Community Services team – Julie Ellison in particular. This year, The Salvation Army was blessed to have Julie’s assistance in registering and interviewing many clients on our behalf. Julie felt it was a win-win. She helped local residents who could not register at the food bank not to miss out; as well, Julie shared that some people were in tears when they came to her. She was able to offer assistance through programs provided under the auspices of Lower Similkameen Community Services.
Many were unaware that a food bank is available on the third Thursday of each month at the Cawston Seventh Day Adventist Church on Newton Road. The need is great. Allan Lang, Salvation Army Community And Family Services caseworker, remarked at how polite and grateful the recipients were, despite standing in a very long line and waiting in close quarters in the trailer which serves as our current depot.
On behalf of Cawston Food Bank, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Major Miriam Leslie
Corps Officer
Salvation Army