An under-threat food delivery program for Richmond’s homeless community received a boost Tuesday night.
After the Richmond News last week featured the financial plight of the Food Aid Delivery Program — run by Chimo Community Services — a cross-faith selection of people packed into a room at the Garratt Wellness Centre to find a solution.
According to Chimo and members of the Richmond Food Aid Delivery Coalition, there was a lot of emotion in that room, including sadness and anger at the potential loss of the program, which sees 25 hot meals a day, four days a week, leave church community kitchens en route to homeless people dotted around the city.
The main focus of Tuesday’s meeting was to garner volunteer and financial support for the program across all faiths in Richmond, not just the predominant help from the Christian community.
“We collected a lot of useful suggestions; most folks left their contact info and many seemed interested in finding a way that their faith community or other organizations could help,” said the coalition’s Susan Johnsen.
“I believe we can say, with confidence, that there was sufficient energy and interest in the room that we should be able to rescue and stabilize the current program. But, as yet, we do not have confirmed commitments.
“Any folks there as part of a faith community or other organization would of course have to take this matter to their board and/or finance committee.”
Diane Sugars, Chimo’s executive director, was also heartened by the response from the community to the News’ feature.
“(It was) such a wonderful group last night — so many caring people wanting to help feed the hungry,” said Sugars.
Johnsen said the coalition will be meeting next week to review its notes and organize the next point of attack.
In the meantime, the program still needs help and the public can donate to it via Chimo on its website at ChimoServices.com, mailing a cheque to 120-7000 Minoru Blvd. V6Y 3Z5, calling 604-279-077 to donate by credit card or emailing [email protected].
The News reported last week how homeless and poverty-stricken people can’t risk leaving their make-shift homes for — or can’t physically get to — such hand-outs.
Dozens of them are scattered around the width and breadth of Richmond, in woods, under bridges or squatting.
St. Alban Anglican Church had been running the food delivery program for five years, but couldn’t fund the program any longer.
