In response to dropping temperatures and freezing rain, Lotus Light Charity (LLCS) Vancouver organized its first community caring event of 2015 in the Downtown Eastside community this Saturday, Jan 3, 2015. Over 200 hungry and homeless recipients lined up at Oppenheimer Park as LLCS volunteers distributed hot chili soup, bread rolls and juice, as well as over a hundred emergency winter care packages.
“Hope is there if we can care for the needy, hungry and cold,” said Vajra Master Lian Tzi, President of LLCS. “Today we can start with hot soup, and lessen someone’s struggle.”
“Finding food and a safe place to sleep is critical for daily survival, and even more challenging when someone is up against poverty, addiction and/or mental illness,” said LLCS volunteer Ada Jang.
The recent LLCS Winter Charity Drive in 2014 successfully concluded with the distribution of 350 sleeping bags and 1,400 care packages (each containing a toque, socks, gloves, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, soap, non-perishable food and a rain poncho) to community partners VPD Homeless Outreach Program, BC Ambulance Services and the City of Vancouver HEAT Program. In addition, over 175 sleeping bags and 350 care packages were distributed directly to the DTES homeless and to inner city homeless youths by the Charity with the help from Covenant House and Direction Youth Services this December. LLCS volunteers also donated Christmas gifts to the foster children in SOS Children’s Village Surrey, with toys, gift cards, and household goods on their Christmas wish list for this special Christmas.
Start off the New Year with goodwill and great deeds! 100% donations are used to support the LLCS 2015 campaign to provide hot meals, winter emergency care packages and sleeping bags, and continue much needed community programs to benefit the impoverished, homeless and low-income children, families and seniors in the Lower Mainland. Income tax receipts are issued for donations over $20. Please contact Lotus Light Charity Society Vancouver @604-685-5548 or email: llcsvancouver@gmail.com. In the spirit of its motto “Through caring and learning, we help to build a better tomorrow” Lotus Light Charity Society (Vancouver) is a registered non-profit charity dedicated to helping the most vulnerable in our local community for over 20 years!