Abbotsford News Thursday, December 13, 2012
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ABBOTSFORD
Feed the
Hungry The Abbotsford Food Bank continues to push towards its goal of raising $600,000 worth of food for those in need this holiday season. Food Bank director Dave Murray says it’s been a very tough year and even the people who manage to donate are saying that they wish they could do more. “We are at a record number of people who need help, about 1,000 more than last year, and yet have only managed to raise $40,000 worth of food,” says Murray. “Financially, we are really behind and I believe it’s a reflection of the economy, so we just have to pray that people support us as we continue to do the best we can during these times.” At this time of year, Murray is waiting to see what comes in from local schools that generally hold their food drive right before Christmas break. He is also excited about the Abbotsford Heat Teddy Bear Toss on Dec. 14 that not only raises money, but donates hundreds of teddy bears to families with children over Christmas. “More great news for us is that the Auto Mall Food Drive is preparing to deliver the largest food donation
Give where you live.
we have ever had,” says Murray. “I believe it will amount to eight tons of food, which will help carry us right through to next Christmas.” The Fraser Valley Auto Mall Annual Food Bank Drive is in its sixth year, and as part of the event’s tradition, it will form a convoy of at least a dozen vehicles to deliver non-perishable food items to the Abbotsford Food Bank. Included in the group will be a number of fire and rescue vehicles, Abbotsford Police and large Save-On Foods trucks, set to depart from the Auto Mall on Mt. Lehman Rd on Dec. 15 at 11 a.m. Manager of the Fraser Valley Auto Mall (FVAM), Steve Magown, feels it is their duty to play a constructive role in the community. “I find that in a reasonably affluent community it’s unacceptable to let people go hungry, and the mere thought of this is the catalyst to do more to help and make sure that we offer people in need of the basics.” PriceSmart on South Fraser Way and The Abbotsford News have now joined the two Save-On Foods stores in Abbotsford, and the Abbotsford Fire and Rescue Service to tackle the demand for food in the community. All eight dealers of the FVAM and Auto Mall Autobody continue to collect food and decorate vehicles in
each of their locations in preparation for the convoy. Certain dealerships have even raised their individual per store donation from $1,000 to $1,500 worth of additional food to contribute. The Abbotsford Fire and Rescue Auxiliaries will also be campaigning door-to-door in an attempt to increase donations. “Abbotsford residents are known to be generous people and ready to open their hearts and wallets,” says Magown. “Once you are made aware of a problem, you’re usually halfway to a solution.” It is anticipated that the Abbotsford Food Bank will see a minimum of $20,000 worth of food donated, provided to the FVAM at an “at-cost” purchase from Save-On Foods. Magown believes that although the commercialization of the season can be fun and enticing, there is a much larger picture to be seen. “It’s an awakening for everyone as we get educated on the fact that seniors go hungry and kids have nothing to open on Christmas morning,” says Magown. “It’s the awareness factor that brings people to do unsolicited acts of kindness, and we should be reminded of this all year round.”
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