The Lotus Light Food Recovery program recently distributed over 10,000 lbs of food to food distribution centers helping unemployed families supported by the Immigrant Link Center Society and the Our Lady of Sorrows parish. The donation from Chefs Warehouse included frozen calamari, french fries, crepes, olive oil, jams, cannoli shells, chocolate, flour, and various cooking spices. The Belkin House Salvation Army also donated baking supplies and bread while Air Canada donated pre-packaged meals to help those in need. Over 2000 families benefited.
Since mid-February, many local community members have been living in fear due to job layoffs compounded by food insecurity. To help vulnerable groups in need, the LLCS is working with religious organizations, non-profit organizations, and charity partners to establish weekly food distribution events to distribute fresh produce, fruit, dairy products, flour, baking supplies, and other items of need to help low-income families across Metro Vancouver.
Many Vancouverites living through the Covid-19 pandemic are not only facing the adverse challenge of keeping safe from the infectious virus but are also facing the economic collapse. Many families have experienced a loss of income and have run out of food to survive through these dark times. There are currently several empty shelves at many local food banks, including the Port Coquitlam food bank. Recently, a newly laid-off family with three kids was turned away from their food bank. Another family, a single mom with four kids, was also turned away due to empty shelves at the Coquitlam food bank.
Fortunately, the LLCS will be working alongside community partners and corporate sponsors to provide these families with supplies and food.
The LLCS Covid-19 Community Caring Drive will continue partnering with generous corporations, food warehouses, local food assistance groups, and food distribution hubs to distribute much-needed food and personal protection equipment (PPE) to community members in need. The LLCS thanks its volunteers, corporate and individual sponsors, and partner community service organizations for all their generosity and support in helping our programs run successfully.
The LLCS is currently accepting both monetary and in-kind donations from individuals and corporate sponsors to help these local community members in need. Tax receipts are available for donations of $20 or more. If you can donate, please make the cheque payable to “Lotus Light Charity Society” and mail it to Lotus Light Charity Society, 200-357 E. Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1P3. You can also donate online by Visa or Mastercard, or through our website: http://vllcs.org/en/donation/. The LLCS is a registered charity (BN 14110-4893-RR0001). We could be reached at 604-685-5548 or by email at llcsvancouver@gmail.com.
