March 9, 2010

Macdonald recognizes the important work of the
Kimberley Helping Hands Food Bank

VICTORIA – In the Legislature today, Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald made the following statement of appreciation for the work done by the Kimberley Helping Hands Food Bank.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010, afternoon:

N. Macdonald: March is nutrition month, and I rise today to recognize the good work of one of many food banks that serve people in our province. Kimberley has long appreciated the assistance of the Helping Hands Food Bank.

Over the last number of decades gaps in government support have allowed too many people to fall into poverty. But citizens in community after community have found ways to provide assistance for those most in need. The most basic of those needs is the need for food.

In Kimberley I've seen people like Lowell Paulson and Stan Salikin and many more community members put in hour after hour of volunteer time to support the food bank. As well, community groups like Kimberley United Church have food bank Sunday to raise funds for the food bank, the Kimberley Junior Dynamiters hockey team holds food bank nights. The Kimberley Elks Club has a partnership with the Helping Hands Food Bank to raise money through bingos.

Last year the Elks donated $3,000. This year they plan to raise $6,000 to help feed those in need in Kimberley. Last year almost 1,800 people in Kimberley were assisted with regular food hampers, and a further 374 received emergency hampers. And 43 percent of the people who received assistance from the food bank were children.

The continued existence of food banks shows that as a core human value, our communities will find ways to provide support for our friends and neighbours when an absence of government services leaves people in poverty. I'm sure members will join me in showing our appreciation to the volunteers at Helping Hands Food Bank and all the food bank volunteers and workers for their effort and their humanity.