They huddled together to warm up on a frosty morning in November, but the 50 Grade 6 and 7 kids from Richmond Jewish Day School and Az-Zahraa Islamic Academy didn’t let the cold dampen their spirits. Their goal was to hand out warm clothing, blankets and 1,000 brown bag lunches to the homeless in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, and with a long line of eager recipients, their job was done in less than an hour.
The food, provided by Save-On Foods Ironwood location, included sandwiches made a day earlier by volunteers, juice boxes and yogurt. George Clarke, store manager, said he was glad to supply the $4,000 worth of lunches.
“I learned there are a number of homeless people here,” said Askari Mehdi, a Grade 7 student at Az-Zahraa. “We’re just a small band of kids, but it’s nice to know we can make a difference.”
The principal at Az-Zahraa, Anthony Skopa, was also thrilled to have the children participate. “The kids know now that there’s a need in our greater community. It’s their mission in life to help others, and this teaches them to be grateful for the blessings in their own life,” said Skopa.
Az-Zahraa and RJDS are both faith-based schools, he added, “but we want people to understand that we’re also part of the bigger community.”
This is the second year that the students, whose schools are both on No. 5 Road, also known as Richmond’s “Highway to Heaven,” collaborated to bring food and warmth to residents of the Downtown Eastside. With the principals of both schools and members of the RCMP closely watching the interactions, the students actively approached the homeless and distributed food and clothing. “If our students were nervous it melted away with the first kind word,” said Abba Brodt, principal at RJDS. “They were so excited to do a mitzvah (Jewish commandment). We’re excited that they had the opportunity to work with their friends at Az-Zahraa again and bring more warmth and kindness into the world. You can’t teach this type of educational experience. You have to live it.”
