Just recently, BC Premier John Horgan extended the Covid-19 State of Emergency for BC for another two weeks, allowing the province to re-open with a “phased-in approach.” But low-income families, unemployed individuals, isolated seniors, and families with children continue to worry about what they will eat for their next meal. These families, especially, are the ones counting on governments, compassionate corporate sponsors, and charities to help them survive the pandemic.
The Lotus Light Charity Society’s (LLCS) Covid-19 Community Caring Drive gained support from five of Vancouver’s largest produce wholesalers: Fresh Point, Fresh Direct, Discovery Organics, Produce Terminal, and Van-Whole. Every two weeks, the LLCS will prepare and distribute at least 250 hampers, containing donated non-perishable and fresh produce items, to vulnerable families in need. Each hamper will contain enough food to feed a family of four for two weeks. The vulnerable families who receive these hampers will come from the Strathcona, Granville Woodland, and Downtown Eastside (DTES) areas as the majority of residents in these areas live below the poverty line.
Master Lian Tzi, president of the LLCS, commented on the urgent need to provide aid to vulnerable residents. “The sight of Covid isolation for families with both parents laid off is heart-breaking. I am calling upon our volunteers and supporters to expand our response to the Covid-19 pandemic and to ask everyone to work with us in helping those affected in our community.”
On April 30, 2020, LLCS volunteers worked hard in the morning to sort, pack, and distribute fresh fruit and produce from the parking lots of the Pink Pearl Chinese Seafood Restaurant (1132 E. Hastings St, Vancouver). LLCS representatives met with the CEOs of the five sponsoring produce companies at the beginning of the distribution to express our gratitude for their generosity and support.
At 1:00 pm, the long-line of parents who were safely socially distanced outside received their pre-packaged fresh fruit and vegetable hampers. Recipients of the hampers also included inner-city schools and the homeless service organizations serving the DTES. Over 500 needy low-income families benefited from the distribution.
Thursday’s food distribution event was also supported by the Superstore on King George Highway who donated shopping bags that were used to package the produce for distribution.
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 local communities 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.
LLCS Emergency Food Mobile Team Help 500 Needy Inner City Families
