Pastor Neil van Heerden recalls how, one rainy afternoon in November, an elderly gentleman approached him on the street and introduced himself as a client of LangfordB次元官网网址檚 newest food bank, the Living Edge. The man embraced van Heerden and told him how much the Living Edge fresh food program meant to him.
There were tears in his eyes.
On another occasion van Heerden listened to another gentleman who is a refugee to Canada who had arrived from the Middle East.
He told van Heerden how heB次元官网网址檇 been waiting for eight months for the paperwork that would allow him to work in this country and he said that the Living Edge program was what made the difference between hunger and eating for his family.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 these stories that inspire me and all the others involved in Living Edge to keep going and try to do as much as we can to make peopleB次元官网网址檚 lives just a little easier. No one should be going hungry in this country, and if it takes groups like ours to make sure thatB次元官网网址檚 the reality, then so be it,B次元官网网址� said van Heerden.
The Living Edge program started in 2011 in the Quadra Village with the aim of providing fresh produce to the working poor, single parents, the elderly, students and others who need help to find a way to feed themselves.
The program expanded to include distribution points at UVic, Cedar Hill Cross Road, and in Royal Oak.
The groupB次元官网网址檚 most recent venture has brought them to Langford where, since the beginning of November, they have been hosting a weekly market at the Open Gate Church (679 Goldstream Ave.) every Friday between noon and 1:30 p.m.
B次元官网网址淭here is a fabulous food bank in Langford already, and we are in no way competing with them,B次元官网网址� explained van Heerden.
B次元官网网址淲hat we focus on is providing fresh fruit and vegetables in addition to the canned and dry goods that people can generally get from food banks. We do it through the kind support of organizations like Quality Foods, Thrifty Foods, and Cold Star Solutions who provide us with a lot of food for distribution. We also get some fresh produce from Mustard Seed in Esquimalt where they have a big refrigeration unit and access to fresh food.B次元官网网址�
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Pastor Andrew Hewlett of the Open Gate Church expressed his gratitude to Living Edge and said how happy his congregation was to help the program.
B次元官网网址淭he great thing about Living Edge is that there is no registration required and we donB次元官网网址檛 just pack up hampers for our clients. They come in and shop our market, taking what they need in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity. ItB次元官网网址檚 a matter of respect,B次元官网网址� Hewlett said.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e still learning the ropes here. But the main thing weB次元官网网址檝e learned is that, as volunteers, we receive far more than we could ever give.B次元官网网址�
He added that although there has been very little advertising for the new food distribution program, the numbers of clients coming to the Living Edge market has consistently grown.
B次元官网网址淭he first week we had 10 people come in and the next week we had 20. Last week we had 45 and I wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be surprised to see twice that number in the coming weeks,B次元官网网址� said Hewlett. B次元官网网址淚t just keeps growing.B次元官网网址�
Living Edge programs across the region serve about 5,000 clients a month for a total of 60,000 a year. The program recently got a huge boost when a number of local businesses teamed up to replace Living EdgeB次元官网网址檚 delivery van. Thrifty Foods in Colwood, Galaxy Motors, Maxxum Insurance and Speedpro signs replaced an existing van that was limping along on its last legs.
B次元官网网址淣one of the work we do would be possible without the support of the community. Our program is just the vehicle for delivering the generosity and kindness of others without whose help we couldnB次元官网网址檛 do any of what we do,B次元官网网址� said van Heerden.
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