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Meet the 2015-16 Beaver Valley Nitehawks Page 8
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Community support strong but food bank demand keeps growing
GREAT GRAPES
Recent events bolster shelves but more people requiring service BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
VALERIE ROSSI PHOTO
Columbia Gardens Vineyard and Winery centre wine making around family time, according to owners Ben and Tersia De Jager. They were overjoyed that Tersia's dad Phillip Du Toit planned his trip from South Africa around helping the couple harvest their grapes. See story in Thursday's West Kootenay Advertiser.
Seniors’ group goes door-to-door to get voter commitment Residents asked to support party with a comprehensive health care plan BY VALERIE ROSSI Times Staff
Do you pay for rent or fill a prescription? This is a very real predicament someone may face, particularly a senior who's wallet may be deflating while health care needs are expanding. “It's a Catch 22,” according to Ron Cameron of the Trail Society for the Protection and Care of Seniors (SPCS). Members of the advocacy group have put their personal political views aside in search for just the facts for voters decid-
NEW LISTING
ing which party to back in the upcoming federal election. Volunteers will be out knocking on doors this Sunday to ask residents to pledge a vote. “We're asking people to sign a pledge form that says they will vote for the candidate who commits to providing a comprehensive health-care program at the federal level,” Cameron explained. Contact information collected will be shared with the BC Health Coalition (BCHC), a non-profit and non-partisan organization that will evaluate where each party stands on health care solutions and then develop an election guide
NEW LISTING
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to send out to those who pledged. “What we're saying is there's a tie between poverty and health care and that's why the development of a strategy and a national PharmaCare plan is important,” he added. “Most seniors in poverty are women, the majority of them, and they will not fill prescriptions or take medication that's prescribed because it's too expensive.” But the group isn't just looking out for seniors right now. The conversation around health care is open to all demographics. See NDP, Page 4
NEW PRICE
Linda Radtke worries about goodwill in the Trail community being stretched to the limit. New faces are coming through the Salvation Army doors everyday, and it's getting tougher and tougher to feed them. But hunger is non-denominational and these days it takes many churches, local stores and businesses plus a host of volunteers to meet the needs of the less fortunate in the Trail area. Shelves were near bare at the Salvation Army food bank when the community stepped up in the nick of time, donating about $7,000 worth of food and $240 in cash. The sizeable proceeds came in from Kootenay Savings Credit Union (KSCU) a few weeks ago following the organization's annual Outdoor Movie Night, which attracted over 2,000 people. Admission was free, but a non-perishable food item is requested. “This is such a big deal because we were getting so low,” says Manager Linda Radtke from the Trail Salvation Army. “Our numbers have been so high with new clients and more people coming in who just can't make it.” Another church community has stepped in to help feed the hungry in Salmo, Fruitvale and Castlegar as well as the Trail United Church and Trail Salvation Army branch. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints hosted a “Giant Garage Sale” on Saturday with all proceeds going to the five local food banks. Bishop Peter Redekop says the event, which the church hosts every two years, brought out community spirit in all ages, and over $3,700. “The community support was way beyond what we expected,” Redekop told the Trail Times. People came by the church's outdoor sale, picked up a few items worth a dollar or two, but paid $20 and would not accept change, he said. “We really appreciate the support the community gave us and all money raised with be evenly (split) amongst the five food banks.” While the outpouring of generosity grants temporary reprieve, Radtke is concerned about the upcoming holiday season. She says the Rossland Avenue site is already averaging up to 14 hampers daily and at month end, will make 350 more. See HOLIDAY, Page 3
Contact the Times: Phone: FineLine250-368-8551 Technologies 62937 Index 9 Fax:JN866-897-0678 80% 1.5 BWR NU Newsroom: 250-364-1242
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