Four different faiths are coming together this coming Sunday to help Richmond’s needy.
The second annual Multi-Faith Food Drive will collect non-perishable food and cash donations for the Richmond Food Bank from 1-4 p.m. outside Safeway at the Blundell Shopping Centre near No. 2 and Blundell roads.
Last year, the four faiths, Beth Tikvah Synagogue, Our Saviour Lutheran Church, St. Anne’s Anglican and St. Joseph the Worker Parish collected 2,100 pounds of food and $6,000.
“We were a little blown away,” said Francie Steen, Beth Tikvah Synagogue administrator, about the amount collected. “It was just great, especially seeing it was our first year.”
Summer is traditionally the slowest time for food donations and this multi-faith food drive comes at the right time, said Richmond Food Bank outreach coordinator Alex Nixon, so the Multi-Faith event will come in very handy.
“The food bank relies on donations and receives no support from any level of government,” said Nixon.
“It’s a really heartwarming activity seeing our community coming together. Different faiths, traditions, denominations coming together to help our neighbours in need, it’s incredible.”
The clergies of the four faiths started meeting years ago to learn about each other’s faith, which lead to interfaith services that are held three to four times a year for their members.
From that, the Multi-Faith Food Drive was born.
“We are four different faiths getting together to do something for Richmond,” Steen said.
“This is something we do and we hope other faiths will join us in doing in the future.”
Five and $10 Safeway food donation bags will be available and there will also be onsite entertainment.
