FRIDAY
DECEMBER 20, 2013
TAYLOR ON TARGET
Abbotsford golfer excels at Q-School, lands Web.com Tour exemptions A23
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Walls raised for MCC Centre
INNOVATION SUPPORTED A15 Nine Abbotsford companies benefit from National Research Council grants
More than 100 kids in need of food program Alex BUTLER
0.5% TAX HIKE APPROVED
Abbotsford News
More children in Abbotsford will have proper meals on the weekends, thanks to generous contributions from the community – but the number of kids going hungry is “staggering.” On Tuesday, the Rotary Club of Abbotsford presented a cheque for $35,000 to the Abbotsford Food Bank on behalf of the group, its members, and 16 corporate partners to fund the Blessings in a Backpack program. But child poverty and hunger remain an issue in this city and across B.C. According to Stats Canada, B.C. has the highest rate of child poverty. The backpack program – organized by the Rotary Club and the food bank – provides backpacks full of balanced meals to children who face sparse cupboards on the weekends. Currently, 62 students receive the backpacks, containing breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks. The Rotary club also announced a new partnership with the Abbotsford Christian Assembly, which will provide funding for 25 more backpacks, as well as a dozen volunteers to shop, fill and deliver the packs for the remainder of the school year and beyond. Dave Murray, co-ordinator of the Abbotsford Food Bank, said the school district has identified more than 100 kids in need of food in eight schools in Abbotsford. The organization also receives requests for help for students who haven’t been identified by the district. Bruce Beck, director of community service for the Rotary Club of Abbotsford, said the estimate of how many students who could use the assistance goes as high as 400. Continued on A4
A7 Council signs off on city’s budget for 2014
POLICE PROBE A4 Road-trip incident involving Mouat basketball team draws attention from Edmonton police
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Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A23
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JOHN MORROW Abbotsford News
Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . .A49
85¢
Concrete tilt-up walls are being raised this week at the new Mennonite Central Committee Centre on Gladys Avenue. So far, $10.6 million has been generated towards a $15-million fundraising goal, and construction is on schedule. The project should be completed by August 2014.
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